It’s easy to forget how weird computer mice are. Take a small piece of plastic, roll it across the surface and the cursor will dance across the screen. The logic is clear. People point out something before they speak. So why did it take so long for this simple tool to become popular?
Importantly, early computing didn’t require pointing. This machine spoke in the rhythm of a teletype or a punch card. There is no need to select an icon. You typed commands. For many years terminals were simply electronic teletypes. Screens have replaced paper, but the interaction is still linear.
Why arrow keys came before the mouse?
Cursor keys didn’t show up on most terminals until the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. Regardless, it’s useless without the software to control it. The full screen editor is the first editor to actually use these arrow keys. These provide a rough way for the user to navigate the text. This was the first real introduction of a cursor-driven user interface.
However, many experiments were done before the mouse won the input device war. Light pens are huge in some circles. Select an item by touching the screen with a glowing stick. A drawing tablet is also an option. Joysticks dominated gaming, but they are not suitable for precision work. None of these are standard. They can be bulky, expensive or just plain weird.
The Mac changed everything
The mouse became mainstream when it was introduced on the original Macintosh computer. Apple considers this device to be very intuitive. It feels natural. You don’t need to remember hotkeys to move around the screen.
Compare with alternatives. Drawing boards cost a lot of money. Takes up a lot of desktop space. The mouse is cheap. It sits quietly in the corner of the workspace. It just works.
Why do computers fall behind?
The world of personal computers is moving more slowly. Why? Operating systems. Early personal computers operated from the command line. There’s no point pointing at a target if the software isn’t designed to recognize it. There is no GUI infrastructure.
Windows 3.1 changed that. When Microsoft created the graphical user interface standard, the transition was fast. The mouse has become the primary means by which people interact with computers. It is no longer just an accessory. This is the standard.
We still use the same basic concept. drag. Click. scroll. Technology has evolved, but the core interaction has remained the same. We’re still point at things.
