Ethernet co-inventor Bob Metcalfe wins the Turing Award, the ‘Nobel Prize of computing’
Even in case you’re not plugging an Ethernet cable into the wall, someplace alongside the chain you are still counting on that know-how to get on-line. You’ve got acquired Bob Metcalfe and the late David Boggs to thank for that. Collectively at Xerox’s famend Palo Alto Analysis Institute (higher generally known as Xerox PARC), the pair developed Ethernet and set the stage for a networking revolution. Yesterday, Metcalfe obtained the Affiliation for Computing Equipment (ACM) A.M. Turing Award, which is usually pegged the “Nobel Prize of computing.”
Because of funding from Google, that prize is now value $1 million, and it is one more spotlight for Metcalfe’s storied profession. After leaving Xerox PARC, he based 3com, a networking gear firm that introduced Ethernet to the mainstream. “It’s harmful to just accept an award for growing Ethernet, which turns 50 on Might 22, 2023,” Metcalfe advised the College of Texas, the place he now serves as a professor emeritus. “Over Ethernet’s 50 years, a whole lot of individuals have earned some declare of inventorship. Be part of me in saying to those people, ‘Thanks.’”
Regardless of its notoriety as a cable know-how, Metcalfe advised the New York Occasions that he initially envisioned it to be extra just like the Wi-Fi we all know at the moment. “We wished to make it wi-fi,” he stated. “However we couldn’t have zero wires. It will have been too gradual and too costly.”
All merchandise really helpful by Engadget are chosen by our editorial staff, unbiased of our mum or dad firm. A few of our tales embrace affiliate hyperlinks. In case you purchase one thing via considered one of these hyperlinks, we might earn an affiliate fee. All costs are appropriate on the time of publishing.
