Bill English (computer engineer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill English
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William English in 2008
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William Kirk English
January 27, 1929 Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
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| Died | July 26, 2020 (aged 91) San Rafael, California, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Development of the computer mouse |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | SRI International's ARC Xerox PARC Sun Microsystems |
William Kirk English (born January 27, 1929 – died July 26, 2020) was an American computer engineer. He is famous for his important work in creating the first computer mouse. He worked with Douglas Engelbart at SRI International's Augmentation Research Center. Later, he also worked at Xerox PARC and Sun Microsystems.
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Early Life and Education
William English was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 27, 1929. His father, Harry English, was an electrical engineer. His mother, Caroline, was a homemaker. William, often called Bill, attended a boarding school in Arizona. He then studied electrical engineering at the University of Kentucky.
Building the Computer Mouse
English served in the US Navy until the late 1950s. He was stationed in places like northern California and Japan. In the 1960s, he joined the Stanford Research Institute (SRI). There, he worked on magnets and helped build early computer parts.
In 1964, he was the first person to join Douglas Engelbart's lab. This lab was called the Augmentation Research Center.
Creating the First Mouse
William English and Douglas Engelbart are both credited with inventing the first computer mouse in 1963. Engelbart had the idea, and English built the very first working model. English was also the first person to use this new device.
In 1965, English led a project for NASA. This project tested different ways to select things on a computer screen. The computer mouse was found to be the best method.
The Mother of All Demos
English played a key role in a famous event in 1968. It was nicknamed "The Mother of All Demos". This event showed off the computer mouse and other new technologies. These inventions were part of their NLS (oN-Line System).
English figured out how to connect a computer screen in San Francisco to the main computer at SRI. This connection was about 30 miles (48 km) away. He also made sure that sound and video could be sent between the two locations.
Later Career and Innovations
In 1971, English left SRI and joined Xerox PARC. There, he managed a group that researched office systems.
Developing the Ball Mouse
While at PARC, English improved the computer mouse. He developed a new type of mouse called the ball mouse. This design replaced the original wheels with a ball. The ball mouse worked similarly to an earlier device from Germany called Rollkugel.
In 1989, he started working for Sun Microsystems. He focused on making computer systems work for different countries.
Death
William English passed away on July 26, 2020, in San Rafael, California. He was 91 years old.
