Business · 2

Which company developed the graphical user interface and mouse at its PARC research lab in the 1970s but failed to commercialize the technology?

Answer

Xerox

Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) invented the GUI and mouse in the early 1970s, demonstrated in the Alto computer. Xerox never brought these innovations to mass market, allowing Apple and later Microsoft to commercialize them into billion-dollar products.

💡 Did you know?

Xerox invented the graphical user interface and mouse in the 1970s but never commercialized them. Apple and Microsoft later made billions from the same technology.

Other options people guess

  • IBM
  • Bell Labs
  • Atari

Topics

  • technology
  • innovation
  • 1970s
  • business-history

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