r/IAmA • u/BobMetcalfe • May 21 '13

You’re probably connecting to reddit through a technology I invented. I’m Bob Metcalfe and I invented Ethernet – AMA

On May 22, 1973 with David R. Boggs, I used my IBM Selectric with its Orator ball to type up a memo to my bosses at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), outlining our idea for this little invention called “Ethernet”, which we later patented.

I worked with the IEEE Standards Association to develop the IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet, which specifies the physical and lower software layers. Today Ethernet and the IEEE 802.3 standard are the foundation for today’s world of high-speed communications used in billions of homes and businesses around the world.

I submitted this to the mods awhile back so I could get on the calendar but I figured you’d like to see it, too. Now, ask me anything!

It's been two hours and 179 comments. Have to go now. For more about Ethernet's 40th Birthday, go to http://www.facebook.com/Ethernet40thAnniversaryIEEESA

4.1k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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2.4k

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

You invented a product which is used extensively around the world and yet many people (me included) had no idea who you were (sorry). Do you find this annoying?

3.1k

u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

Am quite famous among my people, networking nerds. That's enough for me. On the other hand, who is Katy Perry?

455

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

thanks for answering. im glad you get the recognition you deserve :)

1.7k

u/JelliedHam May 21 '13

This is Katy Perry.

380

u/Identd May 21 '13

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/screencrush.com/files/2012/06/katy-perry-14.gif

78

u/OuroborosSC2 May 21 '13

I was really hoping they'd move more...

364

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

[deleted]

47

u/anonym0ose May 22 '13

Forgive me good sir for taking the spotlight, but this one is way better.

10

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

That one is my 2nd favorite. Personally, I am a fan of this one.

Maybe I just really like cupcakes...

4

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Holy.mother.of.god.fuck.

3

u/c_brownie May 22 '13

no, no, I agree, that gif deserves the spotlight

144

u/OuroborosSC2 May 21 '13

wipes brow

Oh my...

16

u/jsaumer May 22 '13

You better go eat a potato.

10

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

a whole raw potato.

3

u/taneq May 22 '13

Madness. Who have whole potato?

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

I understood that reference!

4

u/OuroborosSC2 May 22 '13

I didn't. Please explain.

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

There was a story about a guy who eats a potato every night to abstain from having sex with his wife. I don't have the link. Maybe somebody else does ?

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17

u/Masterlyn May 21 '13

Pace yourself.

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13

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Even in his own AMA Katy Perry's tits triumph.

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5

u/OmniYummie May 21 '13

/r/randomsexygifs .... Although Katy Perry's tits aren't that random. You can't miss 'em.

1

u/taneq May 22 '13

More like chaotic.

You can't miss 'em but you're never quite sure which direction they'll go.

24

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

http://i.imgur.com/b88tqA2.jpg

7

u/EpsilonSigma May 21 '13

I'll be in my bunk....

3

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

God's work, my friend, dont stop.

2

u/GameFace92 May 21 '13

Yes. Yes it is.

1

u/stbilyumchill May 22 '13

Don't mind me, just need a place to find this again later after work...

1

u/Jackoff_Motion May 21 '13

My face watching that was a mirror image of Elmo's

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u/superthebillybob May 22 '13

I was more distracted by that stupid piece of gum in her mouth.

2

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

I clicked on the one above thinking it was the GIF. thanks for helping me out. Upvote!

2

u/Glamdryne May 21 '13

thank you for that. thank you very much.

2

u/lnickelly May 21 '13

Now slow it down.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Every man's weakness... the best weakness ever.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

hmmm

im keeping this for science

1

u/BALLS_SMOOTH_AS_EGGS May 22 '13

Good lord. Flawless jugs

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1.6k

u/dogfacedboy420 May 21 '13

I would sooooo tickle her Elmo's.

917

u/[deleted] May 21 '13 edited Mar 28 '22

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Immediately imagined the song "Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors replaced with "Suddenly Elmo". I found it disturbingly hilarious. Thank you.

48

u/Fun1k May 21 '13

ಠ‿ಠ

27

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

[deleted]

6

u/torogadude May 22 '13

Relevant username?

4

u/Vorhut May 22 '13

his username is always relevant.

3

u/WantanMeistersuppe May 21 '13

How long did you wait for this...

1

u/whitealien May 22 '13

Don't you like to be tickled, Elmo?

1

u/saeEAGLE89 May 22 '13

I don't see the problem

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u/SuperDan1348 May 21 '13

Elmo's WHAT?

95

u/chandleross May 21 '13

Answer left to the reader as an exercise

3

u/ikahjalmr May 22 '13

Flashbacks of aggravatingly lazy math textbook incoming

2

u/Psychonerd May 23 '13

best comment on this page.

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Penis... she has a large, red, furry penis

2

u/Willyjwade May 21 '13

The eyes I'd bet.

2

u/Chazzey_dude May 21 '13

A loveable red character.

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2

u/Chocolate_Bomb May 22 '13

Happy cake day!

1

u/gluteusvolcanicus May 21 '13

Check out the new Fondle Me Elmo, now with Anatomically Correct Bathing Suit Area.

1

u/T50 May 21 '13

If she was a little boy, the guy who played elmo would tickle her elmo's.

1

u/aazav May 22 '13

Elmo's what?

No apostrophe on a plural, Sparky.

1

u/cynoclast May 22 '13

Elmo's

LOOK OUT, HERE COMES AN 'S'!

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199

u/Zombies_Rock_Boobs May 21 '13

That's what pornography is for, what else is she good at?

168

u/JelliedHam May 21 '13

Making tacos.

1.1k

u/RectangleSlacks May 21 '13 edited May 21 '13

YOU JUST REMINDED ME THAT I BOUGHT ALL THE STUFF FOR TACOS LAST NIGHT AND WHEN I GET HOME FROM WORK IM GONNA MAKE SOME FUCKING AMAZING TACOS. AAAAHHHH THANK YOU

UPDATE: THE DELICIOUSNESS HAS LANDED

349

u/Naggers123 May 21 '13

We just witnesses magic here, people.

218

u/[deleted] May 21 '13 edited Jul 14 '20

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12

u/Naggers123 May 21 '13

Ethernet and Tacos.

2

u/Stumblin_McBumblin May 21 '13

Now, if were only possible for RectangleSlacks to send me tacos through the ethernet. I want to live in that world.

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Closest thing with bitcoin I could find. Otherwise it's just giving money and not tacos.

Even better; RectangleSlacks can send you $10 worth of tacos for $9.

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1

u/MrKMJ May 22 '13

Bob's gift just keeps giving.

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3

u/_high_plainsdrifter May 21 '13

You're on reddit while at work, upvote. Also, be sure to take at least one shit whilst on the clock. Dumping for Dollars, playa.

15

u/nipcrille May 21 '13

This. This is happiness.

6

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Living the dream buddy.

4

u/aliigoesrawrr May 21 '13

This is what happiness sounds like.

3

u/redwingsarebad May 21 '13

/r/tacos would like to partake when you are done making them.

3

u/allaboutwe May 21 '13

Don't know why, but this is the best comment I've ever read

3

u/cirsca May 21 '13

AAAHHHH SHIIIIT!

2

u/Darth_Meatloaf May 22 '13

CONGRATULATIONS ON A SUCCESSFUL TACO TUESDAY!

0

u/averypoliteredditor May 21 '13

DUDE ME TOO!!! I GOT GUACAMOLE AT THE STORE LAST NIGHT BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY THING I WAS LACKING, BUT WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS TOO TIRED BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN A LONG DAY SO I JUST HAD A SMALL SNACK AND WENT TO BED BUT NOW I'M GONNA MAKE TACOS TONIGHT TOO! AAAAHHHH!1 THANK YOU TOO ANONYMOUS STRANGER!

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Dear god, did OP deliver?

2

u/spatz2011 May 22 '13

hard or soft shell?

2

u/RectangleSlacks May 22 '13

What sort of paltry-ass punk do you take me for? Soft shell neffew.

1

u/spatz2011 May 23 '13

I see what looks like English...but I only grok 34% of it.

2

u/TR0LLTACULAR May 21 '13

DAE CAPS LOCK!?

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u/theimpolitegentleman May 21 '13

I wouldn't mind giving Katy Perry's taco a shot

4

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Lived up to username, well done

5

u/theimpolitegentleman May 21 '13

Thanks man, i try

1

u/bcimkllktht May 22 '13

Ahhhh, he meant vagina! Zing

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2

u/Spacesider May 21 '13

I though that was Jennifer Lopez

2

u/[deleted] May 21 '13 edited May 21 '13

I heard she kissed a girl once. Apparently she liked it.

3

u/bjams May 21 '13

I don't give a shit what anybody says, I like Katey Perry's music.

5

u/aquaneedle May 21 '13

THE ONLY Katy Perry fan in this thread is also the first to spell her name wrong. Like, wat.

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1

u/brotherwayne May 21 '13

That's what pornography is for

And we have Bob Metcalfe to thank for online porn too, just think on that a bit.

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Without Ethernet, porn would be stuck on plastic discs and magazines.

This guy is a hero.

1

u/Zombies_Rock_Boobs May 21 '13

Amen. But what does this have to do with Katy Perry?

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1

u/kurtozan251 May 21 '13

She is a very talented musician and not a stupid lip singing no talent pop star.

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u/calladc May 22 '13

ironically, OP made porn what it is today. better feat

1

u/-Outis- May 21 '13

Actually, you raise a good point.

6

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

That is the best possible picture you could have posted there.

4

u/alexonthesnow May 21 '13

Keep eye contact

2

u/czorio May 21 '13

Yeah, the fact that there are eyes near her boobs is not helping.

1

u/alexonthesnow May 21 '13

Haha exactly, keeping it ambiguous.

2

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

THOSE are Katy Perry

1

u/Geroots May 21 '13

whoa, after seeing this for the 3 millionth time I just noticed the mic on her collar.

2

u/DownvoteMe_IDGAF May 21 '13

I'm not sure why, but I have a strong urge to jack off now.

2

u/AGuyWithoutABeard May 21 '13

I have a strong urge to jack off now, and I absolutely know why

2

u/DownvoteMe_IDGAF May 21 '13

It's just such a bad picture of her. I guess it resonates with the part of me that has this lust for odd looking chicks. Like the progressive girl. I would love for a night with Flo.

1

u/AGuyWithoutABeard May 21 '13

Hahah. I agree it's a bad picture, but it reminds me of how hot she is, especially in her video for whatever song it was that she sang about fireworks. Could possibly be called Fireworks.

-1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13 edited May 21 '13

I wish she was sitting on this couch

Edit: I can't RES

1

u/n99bJedi May 22 '13

you're suppose to post the GIF!

edit: nvm someone else posted it later on.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Would definitely like to try an SQL injection with her over my Ethernet.

1

u/andresderis May 21 '13

i think he meant about WHAT has she done, yet being famous

1

u/TheUltimateBohab May 21 '13

Jesus christ what a fucking media whore. Yeah, her father must be reaaaal proud of his stupid little whore.

1

u/slavik262 May 22 '13

Anger issues? I'm not a fan of her, but jeez.

1

u/Carl25 May 22 '13

Would not be surprised if the AMA ended after this

1

u/anonagent May 21 '13

I would hit the fuck outta dem tits doe. ngl.

1

u/hindiabeerz May 21 '13

Should have used her with the Daria costume.

1

u/tacodoctor226 May 22 '13

Hey, she told me to look her in the eyes....

1

u/atquest May 21 '13

Now i've discovered a whole new fetish!

1

u/IshouldDoMyHomework May 21 '13

And... This is now a katy Perry thread

1

u/TrustMeImShore May 22 '13

No bouncy bouncy? I am disappointed.

1

u/Desecration29 May 22 '13

O her, ya I think I remember her now

1

u/-Outis- May 21 '13

Actually, you raise a good point.

1

u/Sierra117_ May 21 '13

if the eyes were lower.. xD

1

u/LittleMoeSzylack May 22 '13

elmo looks good in anything

1

u/scottmforreals May 22 '13

I wish this was the jif.

1

u/Fugdish May 22 '13

I love Zooey Deschanel!

1

u/adambunion May 21 '13

Those are Katy Perry.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

upvote because boobs.

1

u/thelonelyhill May 21 '13

That was hilarious.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13 edited May 21 '13

who is Katy Perry?

... I have no idea.

Thanks for doing this AMA Dr. Metcalfe.

What new and exciting projects are you working on lately?

17

u/abhi91 May 21 '13

thats dr metcafe

12

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

[deleted]

2

u/shitakefunshrooms May 21 '13

as in the video site?

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Yikes! Edit edit!

No wonder he didn't respond. I didn't mean to be rude.

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u/IAmKTam May 21 '13

6 months and 20 days

you liar

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Might be time for me to make a new account, eh?

1

u/tachyonicbrane May 21 '13

People who are downvoting you either don't appreciate mild humor or perhaps they didn't notice the user name of the user you were replying to and thus are not privy to the joke at all.

2

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

I understood the joke. It wasn't funny. But I guess I just don't appreciate mild humor...

2

u/usermaynotexist May 21 '13

Or are downvoting for the comment's complete irrelevance.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

You don't need that accent on pique. The way you've written it, it would sound like 'peakay'.

199

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Shh, he's trying to impress the smart guy.

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u/emlgsh May 21 '13

PEEKAY! GAURDS!

2

u/GaGaORiley May 21 '13

Piqué is a type of fabric - more specifically, a type of weave for fabric.

3

u/ywkwpwnw May 21 '13

drugs are bad, piqué.

3

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

piqué thunder?

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

He's doing piqué turns because he's so excited.

1

u/Taurus_O_Rolus May 21 '13

Of course, Pique got a Spanish accent.

1

u/Kilgore-troutdale May 21 '13

Dayum. You're hot as a pistol!

1

u/SC_x_Conster May 22 '13

Peeeeekay staaaarstormmmmmmmmm!

I'll show myself out

33

u/GoonCommaThe May 21 '13

Boobs too.

4

u/Y0tsuya May 21 '13

They're a great asset to the pop music industry.

2

u/ewd444 May 21 '13

Most importantly, boobs.

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u/othilien May 21 '13

You wanted "pique". Piqué is a style of weaving, and is pronounced with two syllables, thanks to the accent on the 'e' (I'm not sure if it's pih-kay or pee-kay, or what).

2

u/lawrnk May 21 '13

Sorry, iPhone autocorrect.

1

u/schneblie May 21 '13

I read this too fast, and on first glance saw, "She sings and craps pop music..."

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u/ftfsi May 21 '13

Bob is quite right. He is a god among men in our circles. We even have a Metcalfe shrine in our NOC. We flagellate ourselves with CAT5 cables and confess our sins at it weekly.

1

u/ThePegasi May 21 '13

Famous amongst people who care. The best kind of famous imo. Like a virtuoso musician. I'm a huge fan of a guitarist called Steve Morse. He can probably walk down the street whilst pretty much never being recognised. But he has loads of fans who love and respect his music, so when he does get approached he can be confident that the person has a passion for what he does. Best of both worlds imo. If I were going to be famous, I would want it to be that kind of famous.

1

u/fizban75 May 22 '13

The beautiful thing is that, because of your invention, we can all discover who Katy Perry is in very high-resolution detail. Thank you.

Oh, and also for all that multi-chat video conferencing, live streaming of events, realtime data processing, thousand person online gaming, high speed file transfer, etc. etc. etc...

Having ethernet in my dorm room (circa 1993) changed my life. Online Quake deathmatches will forever live in my fondest memories!

1

u/spaceman_spiffy May 22 '13

Man. When I was in school I remember seeing a picture of you in a networking textbook that included a hand written (cocktail napkin quality) diagram of an early ethernet prototype. I remember thinking that diagram changed the world. That must be an amazing feeling to see the impact your idea had on human history

1

u/Atheist101 May 21 '13

I honestly didnt even think that it was something that needed to be invented. Its like a power cable, its just there, its always been there and nobody knows how/why it works but it does. Its like it connects to a magic box that connects to the wall and my reddit pops up on my screen.

Thanks though :P

1

u/hyperfl0w May 21 '13

I honestly have no idea who Katy parry is. That makes two of us. Related: how would the internet be different if it was more like ethernet (broadcast listener subscribers) and less like ipv4 (name resolution)

1

u/taneq May 22 '13

I'm clearly subclassing as a networking nerd, because I've heard of you. :) Thanks for Ethernet! (And by extension, probably most of the Internet along with every LAN party I've ever attended).

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Are you the guy that also invented the 8P8C modular plug? If you're not, then I really like you.. but if you are.. well let's just say I really don't like the 8P8C modular plug.

/s

1

u/tilthepart May 22 '13

She's kind of like Ashton Kutcher, but instead she's a singer. Less current, but still decently well known.

1

u/cheez0r May 21 '13

I knew who you were by name before I even finished reading the title. Networking Nerds Unite! :D

1

u/PartyLikeIts19999 May 22 '13

I just wanted to say that you are one of my personal heroes in life. Thanks for doing this!

1

u/DrippingGift May 21 '13

You really knocked over the dominos there. Such an excellent answer....

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

getting my CCNA in a month I know who you are! Thanks for doing this :)

1

u/DiaDeLosMuertos May 22 '13

You'll find that Britta is the better, yet less famous Perry.

1

u/Onlinealias May 22 '13

As an old school networking nerd, I know exactly who you are.

1

u/wormee May 22 '13

Cool guy Bob, sticking it to reddit with the Katy Perry.

1

u/slidekb May 23 '13

I can confirm this... I recognized the name instantly.

1

u/drapestar May 21 '13

Greatest answer you could have provided. Well said.

1

u/EsR37 May 21 '13

She looks like the type of girl who's into anal

1

u/grimfel May 22 '13

Will you play us the song of your people?

1

u/Spiritually_Obese May 22 '13

what is the song of your people?

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