A mouse pad is a material used to move a computer mouse, with a padded foam backing for comfort, speed, and accuracy. The first mouse pad was created in 1969 and has since evolved to include various shapes and sizes with special features such as wrist support and heating elements. Regular cleaning is necessary to maintain accuracy. Mouse pads are often used as promotional items and can have alternative uses such as table placemats and coasters.
A mouse pad, sometimes written as a mousepad, is a piece of rigid or flexible material that a computer mouse is moved across. Often made with a padded foam backing, a mouse pad assists users with comfort, speed, and accuracy while using an external mouse. Computer users in England refer to the pads as “mouse pads”.
The first mouse pad is said to have been created by Jack Kelley in 1969. The design and materials that mouse pads are made from have come a long way since then. Today’s floor mats are usually made of rubber composites with a lightly textured fabric bonded to the top surface. A textured surface is intentionally chosen because a surface that is too smooth can inhibit precise control of the computer mouse controlled cursor. For this reason, glass, polished wood, and metal are generally not functional materials for mousepad construction.
Most mousepads are rectangular and approximately 9.25 inches (about 23.5 cm) wide and about 7.75 cm (19.5 inches) high. They are, however, available in an infinite number of shapes and sizes and with a variety of special features. For example, heated mouse pads, which include a built-in heating element, reduce repetitive motion stress and decrease cases of carpal tunnel syndrome among frequent computer users. Mousepads with wrist support, on the other hand, have gel or foam padding to provide ergonomic support to the mouse user.
The surfaces of the pad have a tendency to collect dirt, which can be unsightly or if used with your old roller mouse it can affect the accuracy of the mouse. Regular cleaning of a mouse pad can help with this. To remove oil, dust and dirt buildup, the mousepad can be gently washed with a damp cloth and a little mild shampoo or detergent. Soap should be rinsed thoroughly, patted dry, and then air dried before being reused.
Formally known as “cursor control mechanism keyboards,” mouse pads are widely used in homes and offices. Advances in technology, including the more common optical mouse, which uses light-emitting technology instead of the traditional rolling mouse ball, may eliminate the need for a traditional mouse pad. Even so, many computer users choose to keep their traditional mouse pad for added comfort and to protect the surface of their workstation.
Since mousepads are inexpensive and used by many people every day, companies use them as promotional items, personalizing them with their logo and offering them free to potential consumers. Those who have accumulated many of these promotional pads, or just old pads, may find alternative uses for them. Several can be grouped together to form a table placemat, while others can act as shelf protectors, computer keyboard palm rests, and coasters.
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