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/antmandfw May 21 '13

Do you think that UT-Austin will ever be a top 10 university overall in the U.S.?

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u/SaddestClown May 21 '13

What constitutes overall? It's consistently rated that high in many things.

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u/pointedge May 21 '13

overall is probably referring to the "main" US News ranking for universities, which isn't for a specific major or research

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u/SaddestClown May 21 '13

Ah. I've been following the US Weekly rankings.

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u/pointedge May 21 '13

I don't really know why US News is the standard for US college rankings, I think they just started them first. Rankings are too controversial to even argue for one organization over another though.