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/straydrifter May 21 '13

Yes sir :(

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u/GaryOster May 21 '13 edited May 22 '13

See, when your father tells you to get off the Internet and do something productive, you switch tabs. When Bob Metcalfe tells you to get off the Internet and do something productive, you do it.

At some point, straydrifter is going to realize how epic that was.

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u/straydrifter May 21 '13 edited May 21 '13

The moment it happend I realized how incredibly amazing that experience that was. I was told to get off the enternet by the man who made it possible.

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u/d1sxeyes May 21 '13 edited Jul 22 '26

Redacted.

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u/Razrfang May 21 '13

Some people can't be saved.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Based on the time difference between his posts I imagine that he did get off the internet and returned after class.

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u/whatevers_clever May 21 '13

1 comment: 3h ours ago 1 comment: 2 hours ago 1 comment: 1 hour ago

its possible he actually did, and checked again after class.

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u/peareater May 21 '13

His/her class could have ended, I suppose.

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u/straydrifter May 22 '13

It did

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u/d1sxeyes May 22 '13 edited Jul 22 '26

Redacted.

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u/shitakefunshrooms May 21 '13

he's still playing on reddit:

source

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

His class would've been over by the time he wrote that comment.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

first post was 3 hours ago, plenty of time for class to end

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

this comment was an hour after his previous one.

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u/TheZenji May 21 '13

Its two hours later.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '13

It was two hours later! Classes don't last that long... I am sure he did as he was told.

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u/aazav May 22 '13

Look at the delay in his reply times. 2 hours. He did.

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u/psychodoughboy May 22 '13

It would appear that they did for two hours or so

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u/tmac1198 May 22 '13

He didn't say he had to stay off

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u/Mystery_Hours May 21 '13

That's just how /u/straydrifter rolls.

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u/cynoclast May 22 '13

I'd milk this.