In 1982 Microsoft launched its computer hardware division by developing a mouse. Its Microsoft Mouse was introduced the next year accompanied by a text editing software and an instruction tutorial. The mouse was dubbed the the green-eyed mouse because of its two green buttons.
The Microsoft Mouse required an IBM personal computer with 64 K of RAM. It initially required a bus interface card to install in the compter, and came with a manual and a software diskette. Later you could get a bus or a serial connector, like the DE-9 pin and DB-25 hole plugs in this photo. The bus mouse connected to the Microsoft bus card installed in the computer. The Japanese company, Alps, produced the mouse.
A heavy steel ball set towards the back of the mouse mechanically tracks the position by rollers for the X and Y coordinates. To digitize the position for the computer to read, the mouse connected to a mouse card installed in a slot in the computer. To clean the ball a screw released the retainer ring. Althought the mouse is small it is quite heavy. To its credit, its shape curves a bit unlike other completely blocky early mice.
The Microsoft brand is so delicately inscribed on the left at the wrist edge of the mouse that it's nearly invisible.
The mouse and bus card sold for $195. Bill Gates said, in an interview with the Smithsonian, "When we first brought this out we ordered 50,000 and it took over a year to sell the first 50,000."
Microsoft green eyed Mouses with
24 hole and 9 pin serial plugs
Top of the Microsoft Green Eyed Mouse
Underside of the Microsoft Green Eyed Mouse
Underside of the Microsoft Green Eyed Mouse
