A visual history of the computer mouse

30 years ago today, Xerox launched what's generally considered to be the world's first commercially available computer mouse. Arguably, the mouse ushered in the era of personal computing, since it made it easy and intuitive for people without computer experience to click around and get stuff done. That 30 year old mouse is very different from what we're used to nowadays, though, and here's a look back at how mousing technology has evolved, from bowling balls of the past to mind control of the future.

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1. First Trackball The very first input device to rely on hand motions to move a cursor was invented by the Royal Canadian Navy in 1952. It was an actual Canadian five-pin bowling ball mounted in some hardware that could track which way the ball was turned and then translate that information into on-screen motions. Since the whole project was a military secret, the design was never patented. PHOTOS