Xerox PARC

Xerox PARC

Xerox PARC, located in Palo Alto, California, invented the core technologies of modern personal computing, including the graphical user interface, the computer mouse, Ethernet, and laser printing, but its parent company, Xerox, failed to commercialize them, allowing other companies to build the future.

Chapter 1

The birth of a dream lab

Chapter 2

Designing the future's interface

Chapter 3

Connecting the world together

Chapter 4

The great technology handoff

Ch 1 · The birth of a dream lab
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PARC Playground
BETA

steve Assemble components to uncover the innovations that built the modern computer.

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steve The quest for the personal computer

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steve Beanbags and the art of radical collaboration

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steve The recruitment of the ultimate dream team

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steve Why Xerox built a playground in California

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steve Xerox PARC

At Xerox PARC, the future was drawn in screens and clicks, With a mouse, a GUI, and all the digital tricks. They built it all, but the world just passed by, And others brought the digital age to life.

Jul 2

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Beanbags and the art of radical collaboration

steve PARC replaced traditional offices with beanbag chairs and open spaces to spark unexpected scientific breakthroughs.

Jul 2

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Fun Fact

Beanbag brainstorming: PARC spent a significant portion of its early furniture budget on giant beanbag chairs to encourage relaxed, creative thinking.

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Jul 2

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The recruitment of the ultimate dream team

steve Director Bob Taylor gathered the world's top computer scientists by offering them unlimited funding and zero corporate oversight.

Jul 2

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Quiz

Who was the visionary director who recruited the core team of scientists at Xerox PARC?

Jul 2

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Gossip

Would you work better in beanbags or at a traditional desk?

Jul 2

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Quiz

What was the name of Alan Kay's 1968 concept for a portable, personal computer for kids?

Jul 2

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Quiz

What was the main way computers were used in 1970 before PARC changed the landscape?

Jul 2

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Quiz

What was the weekly meeting at Xerox PARC called where scientists debated wild new ideas?

Jul 2

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Quiz

Which unusual furniture choice became a symbol of Xerox PARC's relaxed collaborative culture?

Jul 2

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Quiz

In what year did Xerox establish the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC)?

Jul 2

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Quiz

Why did Xerox build PARC 3,000 miles away from its New York headquarters?

Jul 2

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Quiz

What product did Xerox dominate in 1970 that made them fear a 'paperless' future?

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