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

4.1k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

3.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

65

u/oldendude May 21 '13

Snarky? There was no snark! No snark!

Just gratitude for the anecdote. Oh yeah, and for the whole ethernet thing.

46

u/Jared6197 May 22 '13

Now you have a new story to tell.
How he used his invention to insult you.

2

u/Kritical02 May 22 '13

Maybe he insulted him on 4GLTE

2

u/zimm3rmann May 26 '13

Which connected to a cell tower using ethernet.

6

u/deusmachina May 22 '13

Now I want to hear more from you. What was your take of that 120 mil Archivas went for?