Voices of Ethernet - Ethernet Alliance

Preserving Ethernet’s Oral History

With each passing anniversary, the importance of preserving Ethernet’s history grows. The Ethernet Alliance is proud to be preserving Ethernet’s historical records through a collection of spoken records with the real people behind Ethernet’s story, sharing engaging personal accounts of pivotal events and major milestones that may have otherwise been forgotten or remain widely unknown.

“The Voices of Ethernet project tells the story of the technology’s journey from Xerox PARC in 1973 to the foundation technology of the Internet today. We talk to the key figures in this journey and let them tell their own stories.”
Peter Jones, President, Ethernet Alliance

Featured Interviews

ROBERT METCALFE
Professor of Innovation, University of Texas

GARY S. ROBINSON
Ethernet Standards Pioneer

ROBERT GROW
IEEE Fellow & former Chair of IEEE 802.3

Geoff Thompson — GEOFF THOMPSON
Ethernet Networking and Standards Expert

Robert Garner — ROBERT GARNER
Co-designer of Xerox STAR Professional Workstation; Architect of SPARC

Rich Seifert — RICH SEIFERT
Engineer and Developer of Ethernet Technology

GORDON BELL
Pioneering Computer Designer, Architect and Researcher

DAVID CUNNINGHAM
Gigabit Ethernet Author and LAN/MAN Standards Expert

TONY JEFFREE
Expert in LAN Technologies and former Chair of IEEE 802.1

PAUL NIKOLICH — Paul Nikolich
IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Chairman, IEEE Life Fellow and Broadband Industry Expert

Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist & Father of the Cable Modem

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Podcast versions also available

Elements of Ethernet History

On May 22, 1973 Bob Metcalfe drew this sketch of Ethernet while he was a researcher at Xerox PARC. Courtesy of Palo Alto Research Center

From September 1980, Bob Metcalfe's personal copy of Version 1.0 of the Ethernet standard.

From February 1980, one of the first documents providing information on the Ethernet Local Network.

An extraordinary artifact from Xerox PARC (1970s), the ethernet tap (drop) and transceiver into Ethernet co-inventor Dave Boggs' office (connecting to his Dorado). Note "Boggs" written in felt marker on the connector. Courtesy of DigiBarn Computer Museum

An early sketch of Ethernet by Bob Metcalfe in the mid 1970s

The Xerox Alto II XM from PARC with graphical user interfaces and mouse pointing device was often called the first personal computer workstation. It was one of the most innovative computers ever designed. Ethernet linked Altos within PARC. Courtesy of DigiBarn Computer Museum