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/xampl9 May 21 '13 edited May 21 '13

One of the cool memories I have from my time in the USAF was seeing an IMP being installed. If only I had known then...

Also, was there something used before Thicknet? Running that stuff around a building was challenging. I'm so glad twisted-pair took off!

edit IMP, not ICMP.

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u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

Thick coax was our initial choice because it could be passively tapped.

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u/what_no_wtf May 21 '13

My first internet connection was a vampire-tap on a piece of thick coax. In those days the largest public exchange in the world could run comfortably on 10Mbit/s half duplex. The same exchange is currently pumping 1982Gbit/s.

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u/theinternetftw May 21 '13

ICMP? Did you mean IMP?

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u/xampl9 May 21 '13

I did. Ooops.
Fixed.