The Second Mouse
Listen to a story about the guy who took an idea and made it better. Smart.
Tap Quiz
What do you think, eh?
The words
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Word
Meaning
Software (n.)
Programs that tell a computer what to do. Example: The computer used special software to open files.
Improved (adj.)
New or high-level technology. Example: Steve Jobs saw an advanced computer at Xerox.
Features (n.)
Important parts of a product. Example: The computer had features that people liked.
Released (v.)
Made a product available to the public. Example: Apple released the Macintosh in 1984.
Expensive (adj.)
Cost a lot of money. Example: The first mouse was expensive for most people.
The story
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Computer Mouse
A computer mouse is a small box. Its purpose is to move a line on a screen and help users do work and play games. Where did the mouse come from?
The story of the mouse begins in 1967.
The first mouse looked like a large block of wood with a red button on top. In 1973, a company called Xerox improved the mouse. It was small, light, and easy to use.
Six years later, Steve Jobs visited Xerox. He saw a special computer with advanced technology and software. This machine used a mouse to touch small images on the screen. The images opened files and programs.
Steve loved it. It was easy to use, but expensive. He directed his team to make a computer with those features. It should have a nice design and sell for a low price.
In 1984, Apple released a home computer called the Macintosh. People loved using the mouse. Soon, many companies were making computers with a mouse.
Some people say Steve took the idea from Xerox. Maybe that’s true. It’s also true he saw an idea and made it better. He also made it less expensive. The first mouse cost $300. Apple made it for $15.
The story of the mouse teaches us about business. We often need a new idea to be successful. Some people, like Steve, take an old idea and improve it. Then they tell a story. The story usually tells people that their lives will be better with this machine.
Steve Jobs did not make anything new. But he was a good storyteller. And telling a good story is an important business skill.