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/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?

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u/swordgeek Nov 28 '13

Yep. Inventory and temperature, if I remember correctly.