Doug Engelbart, Inventor Of Computer Mouse, Dies Aged 88
The inventor of the computer mouse, Doug Engelbart, has died aged 88.
Now, readers, you might be wondering why I’m writing about this. The computer mouse was a mainstream invention, widely used by mainstreamers, I hear you say. What does the computer mouse have to do with disability?
Well, for me, personally, in these days of laptops with inbuilt keypad mice, the old original outside-the-box computer mouse has quite a lot to do with disability.
Just today, I was asked if I have any accessibility requirements when using a laptop. I responded that I need a mouse, because I am not able to use the inbuilt mouse. This is a result of my disability.
Readers, I have no doubt that when Doug Engelbart first invented the computer mouse in the 1960s, making box-sized computers accessible to people with no co-ordination fifty years later was the last thing on his mind.
However, readers, today, his little invention- the mouse outside the main computer- means that I, who cannot use today’s keypad mice- which may, or may not, have been invented themselves without him- am still able to use a computer.
Readers, if I didn’t have an original computer mouse, I wouldn’t be able to type. I’ve had laptops throughout the lifetime of Same Difference, so, readers, without the original computer mouse, this website, this article, wouldn’t be here.
I don’t know if that bothers you, readers, but to me, the little old computer mouse is a pretty big deal.
So that’s my little tribute to Doug Engelbart. Thank you for the mouse, Sir.
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