Larry Tesler, Inventor of ‘Cut-Copy-Paste’ on computers dies at 75, netizens call him ‘unsung hero’
One of the biggest improbabilities of modern-day life is a day without using the ‘cut, copy, paste’ functions on computing devices. Without even realising, you end up using the function numerous times in the office or at home. But do you know the person responsible for making your life easy? Unfortunately, he passed away recently. But his work will be remembered for generations to come.
Larry Tesler, the man who invented the Cut Copy, Paste function on computers, has died at the age of 74. Although he was not as well-known as computer revolutionaries like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Dennis Ritchie, he will always be remembered for creating a function that has made computing easy for all.
Tesler worked with Apple, Amazon, Yahoo!, and Xerox PARC in his illustrious career. He pioneered the concept of ‘cut-copy-paste’ while working at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center in the 1970s.
Born in America, he went to Stanford University to study computer science before joining Xerox. After his groundbreaking invention in Xerox, Tesler moved on to Apple, where he worked on the user interface design of Lisa, Macintosh and Newton. He worked for the company from 1980 to 1997m during which he was also made the Vice-President of AppleNet.
Before joining his Amazon, he co-founded a company called Stagecast Software, which helped children to learn programming concepts.
He also had successful stints in Yahoo as the company’s head of user experience design and research. Before his death, he spent his days doing consulting work in San Francisco Bay Area.
As the news of Tesler’s death broke on news websites, thousands took to Twitter and Facebook to pay their tributes.
One user wrote, “RIP Larry Tesler. I didn’t get a chance to work directly with him, but have heard inspiring stories about him from Amazon veterans who did work with him.”
“RIP Larry Tesler; the inventor of the cut, copy and paste feature, who without whom it is unlikely I would ever achieve any kind of success in this life,” wrote another.
