Archive
PreservedUpdated 11/13/2025
Early Computer Mouse Prototype

Early Computer Mouse Prototype

Made by Stanford Research Institute (attributed)1964California, United States

A hand-built wooden pointing device of the type developed by Douglas Engelbart's group at Stanford Research Institute between 1963 and 1968. The first mouse was carved from wood with a single button; this example, attributed to the SRI workshop, was demonstrated at the 1968 'Mother of All Demos' era of interactive computing. It is among the most consequential input devices ever made.

Provenance

1964

Built in the SRI workshop, Menlo Park

attributed
1975

Retained by project staff

owner supplied
2009

Acquired by current collector

documented
2026

Digitally preserved in Relic

confirmed
Current Custodian
New England, United States
Access Matrix
  • Digital viewingpublic
  • Additional photographsby request
  • Remote video inspectionavailable
  • Research visitowner approval
  • Temporary research loannot permitted
  • Museum exhibition loanowner approval
  • Scientific samplingnot permitted
  • Commercial licensingcontact owner
Record Metadata
CategoryComputing
MaterialsCarved wood, metal encoder wheels, phenolic button
Dimensions10 × 7 × 6 cm
ConditionGood; cable insulation brittle
Digital Record
28 high-res images (8,192 × 6,144)
3D Mesh / Photogrammetry
Precise digital measurements
Doc. Score: 87/100Scanned 5/17/2026
Cite this object
Relic Archive. (1964). Early Computer Mouse Prototype [Object record]. Relic Object RL-1964-000021.