Ergonomic Mouse

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What Does Ergonomic Mouse Mean?

A mouse is a pointing and clicking hardware device used to interact with a graphic user interface. Unlike a typical mouse, an ergonomic mouse is tailored to the health and comfort of the human user. Specifically, it is designed to minimize discomfort and prevent potential injuries (such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis).

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Techopedia Explains Ergonomic Mouse

The mouse is based on trackball-like pointer devices used in radar and tracking systems during World War II by the Allied forces. Over the years, it developed from what was essentially a small box to a reasonably comfortable and user-friendly hardware tool for personal computing. However, long-term use started to result in injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, largely due to the physical orientation of the hand and wrist with the mouse.

Early iterations of the ergonomic mouse included the VerticalMouse, which changed the angle at which the tool was operated by the user. The success of this particular model has been very limited, however many other ergonomic mice have been developed, and are implemented in various settings and contexts.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.