1981: The first integrated mouse intended for use with a personal computer makes its appearance with the Xerox Star workstation. Credit: Wired
Thursday, April 27 — For many years, the word “mouse” commonly evoked thoughts of Mickey. But that association began to be eclipsed on this date in 1981 when the Xerox Corporation, then a major developer, introduced the mouse to the commercial computing world. Its 80-10 information system — with the mouse — didn’t catch on, mostly because it cost $20,000. But the mouse itself roared elsewhere in the computer industry and is still holding its own against touch-screen developments.
Today, manufacturing computer terminals and related peripheral equipment is an $8.1 billion a year industry. Its 604 establishments employ some 22,000 workers.
You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online here.
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