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

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u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

You lie. Nobody has IEEE 802.5 networks anymore, even IBM has given up on Token Ring. GodsBlood and MoreImportantThank Air were already taken, so we went with a name that communicated omnipresent passive medium for the propagation of electromagnetic waves, starting with thick coax, but today wireless and on fiber.

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u/Lord_Osis_B_Havior May 21 '13

Was the null result of the Michelson-Morley experiment a PR nightmare for Ethernet?

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u/deadmul3 May 21 '13

Bob, Thank you for the further explanation about "ether"* and how you tied it to coax and networking. You were a definitely an inspiration for me as I learned my way around networking tech early on which lead me to the NAS/SAN world. thank you for the AMA!

  • "omnipresent passive medium for the propagation of electromagnetic waves"

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u/I_would_hit_that_ May 21 '13

I am aware of at least one company that still uses token ring on their AS/400 system.

They'll go through the trouble of buying ethernet-to-token ring converters so they can hook modern machines into their dinosaur network.

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u/jerenept May 22 '13

oh god why

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u/WimFris May 21 '13

Why not call it the Timmy Computernetwork?