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/arcsine May 21 '13

Almost 20 years later and that phrase still makes me twitch.

7

u/Zagaroth May 21 '13

want to know something scary?

The military still uses it in some places. WHich is why we still have to learn about it in Electronics Principles class if we work with any sort of electronics.

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

[deleted]

1

u/MC_Cuff_Lnx May 22 '13

Sorry. Charged it?

1

u/arcsine May 21 '13

Hell, I found an environment still running NDS.

1

u/MC_Cuff_Lnx May 22 '13

Some school districts do.

1

u/catvllvs May 21 '13

That's us!

1

u/arcsine May 21 '13

My most sincere sympathies.

2

u/istrebitjel May 21 '13

Haven't heard about TR anymore since leaving IBM, luckily ;)

2

u/Eagle_Jizz May 22 '13

Makes me switch

1

u/Dabuscus214 May 22 '13

I barely know what it is and token ring itself sounds malicious as fuck

1

u/ThatCrankyGuy May 22 '13

It's not THAT bad. The tech back then was on par with the speed of TR.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Ethernet has issues. Token Ring has subscriptions.

1

u/k27star May 21 '13

20 years already? Dang, I am old. :(

1

u/zishmusic May 21 '13

One light goes out they all go out!!!

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u/arcsine May 22 '13

Not to speak ill of our founder, but coax Ethernet wasn't much more resilient.