The Archaeology of the Digital Periphery: Computer Mice and the Archaeology of the Early Digital Era. (17th January 2019)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- The Archaeology of the Digital Periphery: Computer Mice and the Archaeology of the Early Digital Era. (17th January 2019)
- Main Title:
- The Archaeology of the Digital Periphery: Computer Mice and the Archaeology of the Early Digital Era
- Authors:
- Beale, Gareth
Schofield, John
Austin, Jim - Abstract:
- Abstract : The computer mouse is one of the most familiar artefacts of the developed world to have been devised in the late twentieth century. The essential form remains the same as when it was first invented, but during this time the mouse has transformed our physical interaction with and perception of computers. With increased attention being paid to curating and collecting technologies of the contemporary world, and within the context of an archaeological research culture that extends to the contemporary, an archaeological examination of this ubiquitous object appeared timely. There are millions - if not billions - of mice in circulation, including models that are now outdated or obsolete. Despite their apparent uniformity they differ in significant ways, and examination of these differences can help us to understand human experiences of technology in ways that resonate with artefact types of much earlier periods. With that time depth in mind, this paper will therefore focus on the form and function of the computer mouse and its place in the contemporary imagination. This will be followed by a detailed study of five specific examples which together illustrate some of the key issues and challenges that face us, as archaeologists and curators.
- Is Part Of:
- Journal of contemporary archaeology. Volume 5:Number 2(2018)
- Journal:
- Journal of contemporary archaeology
- Issue:
- Volume 5:Number 2(2018)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 5, Issue 2 (2018)
- Year:
- 2018
- Volume:
- 5
- Issue:
- 2
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2018-0005-0002-0000
- Page Start:
- 154
- Page End:
- 173
- Publication Date:
- 2019-01-17
- Subjects:
- computer mouse -- material culture -- digital technology -- personal computer
Archaeology -- Periodicals
Civilization -- Periodicals
Sociology -- Periodicals
930.1 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.equinoxpub.com/journals/index.php/JCA ↗
- DOI:
- 10.1558/jca.33422 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 2051-3429
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store
- Ingest File:
- 12824.xml