# Logitech 3D mouse

> first ultrasonic 5-button mouse, part of a 3D VR set along with the Logitech Head Tracker

**Wikidata**: [Q30177091](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30177091)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/logitech-3d-mouse

## Summary
The Logitech 3D mouse is an electronic device model and computer mouse manufactured by Logitech, noted as the first ultrasonic 5-button mouse. Released with a publication date of 1992 and an inception year of 1990, it was designed as a component of a 3D virtual reality set intended to be used alongside the Logitech Head Tracker.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** It is a subclass of the computer mouse and a specific instance of an electronic device model.
- **Inception:** The device concept or initial creation dates to 1990.
- **Release:** It has a publication date of 1992.
- **Manufacturer:** The device is produced by Logitech, a Swiss global provider of peripherals founded in 1981.
- **Input Mechanism:** It features 5 push-buttons and utilizes ultrasonic technology.
- **Design:** The device notably does not possess a scroll wheel.
- **System Integration:** It was marketed as part of a 3D VR set that included the Logitech Head Tracker.
- **Museum Presence:** An artifact of this mouse is held by the Musée Bolo.

## FAQs
### Q: What distinguishes the Logitech 3D mouse from standard mice?
A: The Logitech 3D mouse is distinguished by its use of ultrasonic technology and the inclusion of five push-buttons, whereas standard mice of that era typically relied on mechanical trackers and featured fewer buttons. Additionally, it was designed specifically to function within a 3D virtual reality system.

### Q: When was the Logitech 3D mouse released?
A: While the device was inceptioned in 1990, its official publication date was in 1992.

### Q: What accessories were used with the Logitech 3D mouse?
A: The mouse was part of a specialized hardware set that included the Logitech Head Tracker, serving as an input component for early virtual reality applications.

## Why It Matters
The Logitech 3D mouse represents an early and significant attempt by a major peripheral manufacturer to bridge the gap between standard 2D computing and emerging 3D virtual reality environments. By utilizing ultrasonic technology—a departure from the roller-ball mechanics dominant in the early 1990s—Logitech explored new methods of spatial tracking and user interaction. The device serves as a historical marker in the evolution of input devices, showcasing the industry's experimentation with high-button counts and multidimensional control long before such features became standard in modern gaming or CAD workstations. Its existence highlights the longstanding interest in VR peripherals, predating the modern VR resurgence by decades.

## Notable For
- Being the first ultrasonic 5-button mouse.
- Functioning as part of a dedicated 3D VR set alongside the Logitech Head Tracker.
- Lacking a scroll wheel, which emphasizes its specific design for 3D interaction rather than standard document navigation.
- Being an early instance of Logitech expanding beyond standard office peripherals into specialized computing environments.
- Its preservation in the Musée Bolo, underscoring its status as a notable artifact of computer history.

## Body

### Product Overview
The Logitech 3D mouse is a pointing device developed by Logitech. It is categorized as a subclass of the computer mouse and serves as an electronic device model. Unlike standard peripherals of its time, this device was engineered for specialized interaction within a 3D computing environment.

### Technical Specifications
The device is defined by its hardware configuration, which includes **5 push-buttons**, a significant number for the era, allowing for complex input commands. It operates using **ultrasonic technology** rather than the optical or mechanical ball systems common in the 1990s. Consequently, the device **does not have a scroll wheel**, a feature that was not yet standard but highlights the device's focus on button-based inputs rather than navigation scrolling.

### Historical Context and Release
The project has an **inception year of 1990**. It was formally published or released to the market in **1992**. It is associated with the **Logitech Head Tracker**, forming a combination kit identified as a "3D VR set." An example of this hardware is preserved in the collection of the **Musée Bolo**.

### Manufacturer
The device is a product of **Logitech**, a Swiss global provider of peripherals founded on October 2, 1981. At the time of the mouse's release, Logitech was establishing itself as a leader in computer input devices.

## Schema Markup
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