Few people have heard of it, yet many consider John Blankenbaker's KENBAK-1 to be the first commercial personal computer.
Soviet mice
By James Grahame
The Soviet Union was the source of some wonderfully cool-yet-utilitarian computing devices in the 1980s and 1990s. Their no-nonsense design ethic carried over to peripherals. These "manipulators for graphical information" were built to last -- check out the massive cables.
I'm especially fond of the model that features a flat ribbon cable. Not only do you get a great arm workout, but James Bond will be able to use your mouse to rappel down the outside of the building after stealing you top secret missile plans and your girlfriend. [thanks, Marble River!]
