What Is a Computer Mouse?

One of the most essential pieces of computer hardware is a mouse. The mouse is usually attached to a computer through a USB drive, though some are wireless. They still use a USB adapter, though. To navigate your computer screen, you must have a mouse on a desktop.

History

The mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1968 at the Stanford Research Institute. The ball mouse was invented in 1972, and the first optical mouse came out in 1980.

Significance

Without a mouse, navigation on a computer screen would not be nearly as convenient, easy or fast.

Theories/Speculation

The inventor of the mouse, Douglas Engelbart, thought he could augment human intellect by associating movements of the hand with navigation on a screen.

Function

The mouse is a pointing device that navigates a cursor across a computer screen. There are usually two, sometimes three, buttons on modern mouses that serve as selection tools.

Size

Mouses vary in size, the largest usually being gaming mouses. The average size of a mouse is between 3 and 4 inches long.

Types

There are many types of mouses, including those mentioned above. Some other types are laser, wireless, and power-saving, optical mouses.

Fun Fact

The proper plural term for "mouse" is actually "mouses," not "mice."

Resources

• Computer Mouse History
• Computer Mouse Help and Information