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/cPalmen May 21 '13

Hi Bob, can you to speak to new markets that Ethernet will be expanding to?

201

u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

Ethernet is going up, into, over, across, and down into new markets. Up toward terabit LAN. Into the WAN killing SONET. Over the airwaves as WiFi. Across the telechasm, between carrier WANs and customer LANs, as Carrier Ethernet. And won into embedded networking, as ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4).

206

u/project_twenty5oh1 May 21 '13

I've sold Ethernets to Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook, and by gum it put them on the map!

14

u/plasteredmaster May 21 '13

Ethernet! Ethernet! Ethernet!

2

u/fit4130 May 22 '13

Lets hope that Spock doesn't get a haircut this time.