The Original Computer Mouse Was Made of Wood

Back in 1964, Douglas Engelbart invented the first computer mouse at SRI International. Crafted from a simple wooden block with wheels underneath and a single button on top, it was more like a carved toy than the sleek devices we know. Connected by a long tail-like wire to the computer, it controlled a cursor on a screen, revolutionizing how humans interact with machines.

Engelbart's wooden prototype laid the groundwork for graphical user interfaces, demonstrated in his famous 'Mother of All Demos' in 1968. Though bulky and basic, it proved intuitive pointing was faster than keyboards alone. Over decades, it evolved into ergonomic plastics and wireless wonders, but that humble wood block sparked a user-friendly computing era.

Today, with billions of mice in use, it's fascinating to think how a carpenter's touchkickstarted a multi-billion-dollar industry, showing innovation often starts with everyday materials.