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The Mighty Mouse

April 27, 2013

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Profile America -- Saturday, April 27th. For many years, the word "mouse" commonly evoked thoughts of Mickey. But that association began to be eclipsed on this date in 1981, when the Xerox Corporation, then a major developer, introduced the mouse to the commercial computing world. Its 80-10 information system -- with the mouse -- didn't catch on, mostly because it cost $20,000. But the mouse itself roared elsewhere in the computer industry, and is still holding its own. Today, there are 425 domestic computer manufacturers in the country, along with almost 1,300 establishments making peripheral equipment and items. Together, their products are valued at nearly $110 billion. You can find more facts about America's people, places and economy from the American Community Survey at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: 2007 Economic Census, NAICS 334111
http://www.census.gov/econ/industry/hierarchy/i334111.htm