Trackball
device · 1946 · Digital age
A ball pointing device.
What it is made of
- Ball bearing — has part. The ball rotates on supports.
- Trackball ball — has part. It is spun with the fingers.
- Image sensor — has part. An optical sensor of the ball’s motion.
Principles and materials it uses
- Plastic — is made of. The housing and ball are plastic.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- Computer mouse — evolved into. Ball mice grew out of trackballs.
Things built in a similar way
- Computer mouse — works like. An upside-down mouse.