Coincides with Fortieth Anniversary of First Computer Mouse Public
Demonstration
FREMONT, Calif., Dec 03, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Logitech (SIX:LOGN) (NASDAQ:LOGI) today announced that it has shipped
its billionth
mouse. A pioneer in the development of the computer mouse in the
1980s, Logitech has enthusiastically driven nearly every major
innovation in mouse technology -- persistently refining this ubiquitous
interface between people and their digital experiences. With more than a
billion people currently using computers worldwide and another billion
expected to begin using computers by 2014, according to a report by
analyst firm Gartner, Logitech continues to pursue compelling innovation
to delight users of the next billion mice and input devices of the
future.
Founded in a farmhouse in Apples, Switzerland in 1981 and shortly
thereafter establishing strong ties in Silicon Valley, Logitech
introduced its first retail mouse in 1985 and reached the 100 millionth
mouse mark in 1996. Sales of Logitech mice topped 500 million seven
years later. Today, Logitech sells mice in more than 100 countries
worldwide and manufactures an average of 376,000 mice per day and 7.8
million every month.
"Since the first click of the Logitech(R) P4 mouse in 1982, Logitech mice
have played an indispensable role in the evolution of the personal
computer," said Gerald P. Quindlen, Logitech president and chief
executive officer. "During the last few decades, the way people use
computers has changed dramatically -- what was once strictly a business
tool has become highly integrated into our personal lives. Logitech has
continually pursued innovations to meet those changing conditions,
introducing -- in the last five years alone -- the world's first laser
mouse, hyper-fast scrolling and the nano-receiver."
"Looking to the future, the gesture-based Logitech(R) MX(TM) Air mouse and
the hybrid Logitech(R) diNovo Mini(TM) palm-sized keyboard hint at what can
be expected from Logitech's next generation of innovations," said Rory
Dooley, Logitech senior vice president and general manager of the
Control Devices business unit. "While the traditional mouse and keyboard
still make the most sense for productivity, the emergence of the digital
home and new forms of entertainment are opening the doors to new ways of
interacting with the computer, whether it be voice, touch or something
entirely new."
As Logitech celebrates its milestone, many will be celebrating the
fortieth anniversary of the first public demonstration of the computer
mouse.
"What a wonderful coincidence that the leading mouse manufacturer has
announced such a significant milestone in the same month that we
celebrate Doug Engelbart's legendary public debut of the computer
mouse," said Curt Carlson, president and chief executive officer of SRI
International. "Logitech's product innovations support Engelbart's
vision of human-computer tools for interactive and collaborative work."
In celebration of its billionth mouse, Logitech is launching a contest
that invites people to follow the travels of this notable mouse -- from
the manufacturing line to its final destination -- and to try to figure
out where in the world it will end up. The mouse's journey will be
chronicled on Logitech's blog, BLogitech. For more details, please visit
blog.logitech.com.
About Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation
in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music,
home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. Founded in
1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX
Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).
Logitech, the Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are registered in
Switzerland and other countries. All other trademarks are the property
of their respective owners. For more information about Logitech and its
products, visit the company's Web site at www.logitech.com.
(LOGI-IR)
SOURCE: Logitech
Logitech
Kate Brinks Lathen, 510-713-5115
kate_lathen@logitech.com
Ben Starkie, +41 21 863-5195
ben_starkie@logitech.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
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