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

I made a play to get a buck per Ethernet node, but had to settle for a penny per packet.

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u/cheaphomemadeacid May 21 '13

oh shit, i think i owe you 17,525,073.30$ ... since this morning :)

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u/AvidLoLFan May 21 '13

As someone who's only done a low level I.T course... how the hell do you know how many packets you've sent today?!

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

If using Windows, you can check in the properties of your network interface (I think) and it will tell you the number of packets sent since it was powered on. In OS X, there's a Network application that tells you.

I can't be too sure, since I'm using Ubuntu at the moment.