Mousepad. Who and when invented it?

Modern rugs can look like, and so (Source: handwers.com)

Mousepad - popular accessories and notebook computer users. He became so familiar part of the desktop, we do not even think about when and how it appeared. Many of us know who invented the mouse, a modern keyboard and many other well-known devices and systems. What was the name the man who invented the mouse pad and brought it to market?

The inventor has long worked in the aviation industry and was not related to computers. One day, he accidentally met with the founder of Apple, which led to the creation of the familiar to all of us an accessory. This accident without exaggeration be called historic.

Mouse and Apple Macintosh
Enormous role in the popularization of the mouse played by Apple Macintosh - is not the first computer that came with the mouse, but to make it an essential accessory for almost any PC.

The inventor of the mouse is known - is Doug Engelbart. He has created several types of pointing devices, including the device, similar to a modern styli. After working with prototypes of the mouse was chosen as the most convenient option.

"It was quick, and users make fewer mistakes," - explains his choice inventor

. In 1984, one-button mouse comes with both Macintosh and become mainstream. At the same time, developers and users understand that, to ensure the normal operation of the mouse need a certain type of surface - manipulators worked well is not on all surfaces.



There were different solutions, but the company offered the best option Moustrak. The founder of it - a man named Bob Mc Dermend (Bob McDermand). He did not consider himself the inventor of the mouse pad. He says it is too strong a term to describe what he had done. He claims that he had heard similar ideas, which appeared before his own. Whatever it was, but according to the New York Times he is the inventor of the mouse pad. The term "mouse pad» (mouse pad), according to the Oxford English Dictionary first appeared Aug. 25, 1983, in the publication InfoWorld.

How it all began?
As often happens, Mac Dermend appeared at the right time in the right place. The inventor in the early 80's aircraft designers worked in California. His experience helped him learn aviator Steve Wozniak, who was fond of aviation and Steve Jobs (although it did not involve airplanes). As a result, both Steve handed Mack Dermendu Mac prototype of an acquaintance. The future inventor of the computer mouse pad liked, but he noticed an interesting thing - click for Mac performance depended on the type of surface on which it moves the device.

"I brought the computer in the office and set on a table made of oak, where the mouse did not work too well," - said Mc Dermend. "Then I took it home, and the mouse worked perfectly on my desk with a glass top."

MakDermend tried books, sheets of paper and a number of other things from a variety of materials. In the end, Mack Dermend and his colleagues settled on polyester. It would be the most viable option for several reasons. Polyester is not too expensive, it is elastic, not slippery. Plus the surface mat of polyester can be applied a variety of patterns and designs.



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One of the first floor mats with printed pattern (Source: Amazon)

Soon, the inventor has concluded an agreement with the company supplying to the market rubber products, and has received the first batch of polyester mats for the mouse. The solution proved to be successful and popular. After some time, the company became Moustrak produce and sell millions of these rugs. There have been agreements with Disney, Paramount, and LucasFilm for the creation and sale of branded floor mats.

There were troubles. In some cases the mat material reacts with the table surface. This was true, for example, a number of types of nail tops. Once had to pay thousands of dollars for the restoration of the table, lacquered surface of which has been damaged by mouse pad. After this incident, the mat material formula was changed.

Seeing such success rugs, they began to produce and supply other companies. There was a lot of competitors, and the company is trying to stand out Moustrak quality materials, original prints, new ideas.

In advertising Moustrak said that third-party pads similar to the original product form. But Moustrak creates mats "with the best features and capabilities." Mats were really good quality, and the company continues to sign contracts known organizations, including the Hollywood studios. Long-term partner was the company Moustrak LucasFilm, created the Star Wars universe. Mac Dermend spent dozens of hours of their time on the prints, trying to figure on the rug could be considered the smallest details.



Competitors helped that the rug is not the inventor of the patented his product. Mac Dermend says little regret his decision, but in the 80's in Silicon Valley, few people wanted to communicate with his lawyers and the courts, it prevented the creative process.

High quality carpets at one time helped to find partners and customers, but a few years later entered the market with cheaper competitors mats that customers treated several times smaller amount than the original Moustrak. Appeared on the market and the products manufacturers in China. Most people do not see the difference between the original product and rugs other companies that cost several times less.

Last rug was released by in 1997. There is still Moustrak.net site, which also sold mouse pads, has nothing to do with the company Mac Dermenda.

Now on the market represented a huge amount of mouse pads of different types. There are, for example, mats for gamers who are a lot more than usual. Gamers use mouse pads always. As they say people familiar with this area, specialized mouse + special mat - a gamer mouse, a robust tool which will not fail in the most crucial battles. But without a specialized mouse pad - well, it's just a good mouse. Virtually all professional kibersportsmeny take with them not only their own mouse and keyboard, but also a mouse pad. And that says a lot.

Mats continue to use, buy them and the owners of mice that can run on any type of surface. In many cases, buying a rug for more than force of habit than necessity. But it is doubtful whether these accessories will soon leave the market. Whenever this happened, the name of the inventor of the mouse pad and the name of his company have become forever a part of the history of IT.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/279182/