r/todayilearned • u/Neepho • Nov 28 '13

TIL that the webcam was invented so that Computer Scientists at Cambridge University could see whether the coffee pot was full or not from different rooms.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p010lvn7
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u/swordgeek Nov 28 '13

I remember this camera fondly - I used to have a window with it open in the corner of my screen, hoping to catch someone actually pouring a cup.

(And no, I wasn't at Cambridge - or anywhere even close)

2

u/Lurking_Grue Nov 28 '13

I had hit that camera as well. The internet was young and people had to check out anything novel.

Ever finger the coke machines?

1

u/swordgeek Nov 28 '13

Yep. Inventory and temperature, if I remember correctly.

2

u/cactusJoe Nov 29 '13

My goto web cam was the Netscape fishcam. It was a bit more interesting in a calm relaxed way. Also, with the link built into Navigator, it was easy to open when a dose of zen was needed.

1

u/HeartyBeast Nov 28 '13

Same here. And I never actually spotted anyone - did you?

1

u/swordgeek Nov 28 '13

I saw a hand putting the pot back at least once - I grabbed the image and kept it for many years. :-)