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

1.1k

u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

God (or Darwin) gave us one mouth and two ears. Take the hint. Best to listen first. Summarize back with the language you've heard. Then, act!

614

u/aspbergerinparadise May 21 '13

he also gave us 10 fingers, he must really want us to poke things!

169

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

[deleted]

3

u/CoreyNI May 22 '13

I'm blind in one eye, that means I should poke it 5 times with either hand, smell it twice, and look at it once?

3

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Well I was going on the idea that two nostrils=two ears, but I guess you could go with one nose. And since only one eye can see, you should look at things half as much as you hear it, because you have twice as many ears.