The venerable mouse has been part of computer history for nearly 40 years. And, I’ve put together a gallery of drawings that traces the mouse’s evolution through the 1970s and 1980s. These U.S. patent drawings showcase the dramatic changes the mouse underwent during its first two decades of existence.

Despite its remarkable longevity, will the mouse be the preferred method of human-computer interaction for the next century? Several alternative interface technologies, such as touch screens and touch pads, are trying to unseat the mouse from its place on the desktop.
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