Computer mouse

A handheld pointing device that controls an on-screen cursor as it moves across a surface. Buttons and a scroll wheel let users select, activate, and navigate interface elements.

Optical mouse: A mouse that uses a light source and image sensor to track movement across a surface. Its sensor tracks surface texture rather than relying on a rolling ball.
Computer cursor: A visible indicator showing the current location of a pointing device within a graphical interface. The mouse’s primary output is movement of this on-screen indicator.
Douglas Engelbart: An American engineer whose work on interactive computing included the invention of the computer mouse. Engelbart led the team that developed the first mouse prototype.
Touchpad: A touch-sensitive surface that controls a cursor through finger movement, commonly built into laptops. It offers cursor control without a separate device moving across a desk.
Gaming mouse: A computer mouse designed for gaming, often with adjustable sensitivity and programmable controls. Gaming models tailor cursor control and button functions to fast, repeated actions.
Mechanical mouse: A mouse that detects movement using a ball that rolls against internal rollers. This earlier design converts ball rotation into horizontal and vertical motion.
Pointing device: A computer input device that controls a pointer or selects locations on a display. The mouse is one member of this broader device family.
Bill English: An American engineer who built the first computer mouse prototype based on Douglas Engelbart’s design. English translated the mouse concept into a working device.
Trackball: A pointing device that moves a cursor by rotating an exposed ball while the device stays still. It tracks hand movement like a mouse but does not require moving the whole device.
Ergonomic mouse: A mouse shaped to support a hand posture intended to reduce discomfort during use. Its form addresses strain associated with sustained mouse use.

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