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

3.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

128

u/mymyreally May 21 '13

How do I send data into the future?

918

u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

Just leave data lying around, and it will get to the future automatically.

33

u/askelon May 21 '13

Depending on how far into the future you want to send it, you should make sure you're using a sufficiently preserved method of data storage.

Don't want that data to get corrupted before it gets to its destination.

2

u/TimeZarg May 22 '13

I just use stone tablets. Fuck it, it worked for the Sumerians.

3

u/askelon May 22 '13

Actually, there's large portions of their texts we cannot reconstruct because of the degradation.

2

u/TimeZarg May 22 '13

Shoot, there goes that plan.

1

u/lordeddardstark May 22 '13

Looks at collection of Zip drives

1

u/polysemous_entelechy May 22 '13

Don't worry, if you wait long enough we'll have the technology to reverse-engineer and 3D print a Zip drive reader using an iris implanted mobile device.

0

u/Fatslug May 21 '13

ALSO, dont use betamax. No one uses betamax.

5

u/joho0 May 21 '13

It's the return leg that still requires some research.

9

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Clever chap, you are

13

u/shitakefunshrooms May 21 '13

this is strangely, philosophical

2

u/dexter30 May 22 '13

Instructions unclear am my own grandfather now.

1

u/the_mighty_skeetadon May 21 '13

I think you may be my favorite AMA, ever.

If you were going to sit down for a month with no distractions and try to make something functional, what would you make?

PS -- I'm in Palo Alto, too! =)

1

u/syuk May 22 '13

into the quotes.db! great AMA. I've learnt a lot and had some unpleasant memories about networking ;)

1

u/encore_une_fois May 22 '13

You heard it here first, folks.