Mouse Design in Progress

The story of the humble computer mouse began decades before the first PC was introduced in 1981. Its basic design changed very little in that time. However, as the PC became more "consumerised" mice became more sophisticated in a number of ways.

Ergonomics
Microsoft arguably did much to promote a good ergonomic shape with the Microsoft Mouse 2.0. I remember using one with Windows 3.1. It was comfortable, if you were right-handed, and durable and accurate. Microsoft and Logitech have both since produced models with ergonomic qualities over the years.

Scrolling
Microsoft again blazed the trail when they popularised the scrolling wheel of the Intellimouse at a time when Windows 95 was still prevalent and we were all laboriously clicking onscreen buttons to scroll. In recent years Logitech has enhanced the scrolling of its models with its unique freewheeling action.

Tracking
The next big thing, and arguably the biggest advance for mice, was the introduction of optical sensors that finally replaced the high maintenance mechanical rolling ball. This again was largely brought about by Microsoft. Several other tracking technologies have been introduced since then, but really haven't had the impact that the original LED based optical sensor had. Nowadays we have Laser tracking, Darkfield laser, and Microsoft's Bluetrack.

Buttons
We've gone from simple two button mice (or one on Macs) to three, five and even more buttons. My current Logitech mouse has eight. But the current trend is to have no buttons at all, in the shape of recent mice with a touch surface. These seem to work well enough for clicking (for left and right buttons at least) but less well for scrolling and gestures. On the plus side they have no moving parts.

And so...
There's a thread of genuine progress to be followed across all the innovations in the lifetime of the mouse. However there is a discordant note. In recent years mouse manufacturers seem to be trying to undo some of the advances they've made.

Let's take ergonomics. Most modern mice tend nowadays toward a small size and light weight, to accommodate laptop use, and comfort generally goes out the window.

How about multiple buttons. Most mice today have a scroll wheel which either cannot be used as a middle button or is very difficult to actuate. Instead we have buttons in all kinds of places that aren't generally any good for where your fingers are.

Scrolling wheels, what about them? With the introduction of touch sensitive mice that have no physical buttons there are also no physical scroll wheels. And dragging your fingertip along a plastic surface is obviously in no way a substitute for a scroll wheel.

So, about that progress...