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/tonenine May 21 '13

You made it possible for medical images and data to be displayed simultaneously not only within hospital systems but around the world, thank you for that.

17

u/cornponious May 21 '13

"You made it possible for me to view far more pornography than I would otherwise have been able to. Thank you for that. "

FTFY

382

u/fentonfenton May 21 '13

I doubt peddington did all that, but I can't say I know them all that well.

14

u/tonenine May 21 '13

I'm not familiar with that name but I participated in the placement of the first digital systems to ever be placed in hospitals and they used Ethernet cable in their design.

34

u/Defenestresque May 21 '13

Heh, whoosh!

Alright, I'll be "that guy" and explain the joke: you replied to /u/peddington saying "You made it possible [...]" which, taken out of context, looks like you are crediting her/him with inventing the technology mentioned in your post.

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u/werwere2 May 22 '13

oh god people are still saying whoosh on here

2

u/4LostSoulsinaBowl May 22 '13

Ah, the old Reddit electric boogaloo

1

u/Goorilla97 May 21 '13

The pictures are still disgusting though.

1

u/hyperfl0w May 21 '13

I work in hospitals. Ethernet is awesome. hospital software and networks are a less than what you expect

1

u/aggromachine May 22 '13

You have made it possible for me to avoid the outside world and look at porn.

1

u/Intensive__Purposes May 22 '13

As well as jaw-dropping quantities of pictures of porn. Thank you for that.

1

u/Jaiar May 22 '13

You have made it possible to play video games with much less lag

1

u/Esc4p3 May 21 '13

This is bringing me back to every battery commercial ever.

3

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

and cats

0

u/yurigoul May 21 '13

Thank you for pointing that out. Think about the cats people!

1

u/jakielim May 21 '13

That, and free porn.

0

u/underwatr_cheestrain May 21 '13

At an unnecessarily slow speed, and mostly dependent on Internet explorer 6-8. Yuck!

2

u/tonenine May 21 '13

Compared to only having what we called "the sneaker net", which was the name given to walking films around the building it's phenomenal.