A computer “mouse” is a hand-held input device that, when rolled across a flat surface, causes a cursor to move in a corresponding way on a display screen. A prototype mouse was part of an input console demonstrated by Douglas C. Englehart (1925–) in 1968 at the Fall Joint Computer Conference in San Francisco. Popularized in 1984 by the Macintosh from Apple Computer, the mouse was the result of 15 years devoted to exploring ways to make communicating with computers simpler and more flexible. The physical appearance of the small box with the dangling, tail-like wire suggested the name of “mouse.”

In recent years, the mouse has evolved into other shapes and forms. One type is the wireless (or “tailless”) mouse which does not have a cord to connect to the computer. Wireless mice use radio signals or infrared to connect to the computer.