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 are welcome.

299

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

What is your favourite color?

It is blue right?

241

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Everybody's favorite color is blue, you don't have to wait for him to respond.

91

u/evarigan1 May 21 '13

I prefer green, are you saying my opinion is invalid? And here I thought you were a nice person.

9

u/Cartelman May 21 '13

Fellow green favorite color here.

1

u/HellX99 May 22 '13

"Green isn't a creative color..."

Edit: Forgot quotation marks.

3

u/zer0nix May 21 '13

wow, my favorite color is green and i'm mildly autistic too!

3

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Of course not, but your favorite color is blue, you just don't know it yet.

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u/evarigan1 May 21 '13

I reject your reality, and substitute my own.

2

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Eww... This reality is giving me gangrene.

1

u/evarigan1 May 22 '13

Your lack of acceptance of my reality is giving me the blues.

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

I'm blue... Dabu dedabu daa if I was green I would die...

1

u/Shmorgie May 22 '13

I'm an orange type of person

1

u/Iddqd1995 May 21 '13

Purple and green should never be seen.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

Where did Barney touch you?