# Logitech First Track

> trackball from 1994

**Wikidata**: [Q135904348](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135904348)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/logitech-first-track

## Summary
The Logitech First Track is a trackball pointing device released in 1994 by the Swiss peripheral manufacturer Logitech. It is an electronic device model featuring a DE-9 connector and two integrated push-buttons for user input.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer:** Logitech
- **Release Date:** 1994
- **Device Class:** Trackball (pointing device)
- **Connector Type:** DE-9 connector
- **Input Components:** Two push-buttons
- **Missing Features:** Does not include a scroll wheel
- **Parent Organization:** Logitech (founded October 2, 1981)
- **Headquarters Locations:** Lausanne, Switzerland and Newark, United States
- **Classification:** Electronic device model; subclass of trackball

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Logitech First Track first released?
A: The Logitech First Track was released in 1994. It was introduced as a trackball-style pointing device during the mid-1990s computing era.

### Q: What kind of connection does the Logitech First Track use?
A: The device utilizes a DE-9 connector. This was a standard interface for peripherals at the time of its manufacture in 1994.

### Q: Does the Logitech First Track have a scroll wheel?
A: No, the Logitech First Track does not have a scroll wheel. It relies on a two-button configuration and the trackball itself for navigation and control.

### Q: Who manufactured the First Track?
A: The device was manufactured by Logitech, a global provider of computing peripherals headquartered in Switzerland and the United States.

## Why It Matters
The Logitech First Track serves as a representative example of mid-1990s peripheral design from one of the industry's most prominent manufacturers. Released in 1994, it highlights the hardware standards of that era, specifically the use of the DE-9 connector and the reliance on a two-button interface without the then-uncommon scroll wheel. 

As a product of Logitech—a company founded in 1981 that has grown into a global entity with thousands of employees—the First Track is part of the historical lineage of ergonomic pointing devices. For those studying the evolution of user interfaces, the First Track demonstrates the transition period where trackballs were a significant alternative to traditional mice, offering a stationary footprint for desktop computing. Its specific configuration and lack of modern features like scroll wheels provide a factual benchmark for the technical capabilities and consumer expectations of the early-to-mid 1990s computing market.

## Notable For
- **1994 Release:** Introduced during a pivotal growth period for home and office computing.
- **Dual-Button Design:** Features exactly two push-buttons for primary device control.
- **DE-9 Connectivity:** Utilizes the DE-9 connector standard for interfacing with computer systems.
- **Logitech Heritage:** Produced by a major Swiss global provider of computing peripherals.
- **Stationary Navigation:** Classified as a trackball, distinguishing it from mobile mouse-class pointing devices.

## Body

### Device Classification and Design
The Logitech First Track is an electronic device model categorized as a trackball, which is a specific class of pointing device. Unlike a standard computer mouse, the First Track remains stationary during use, with the user manipulating a ball to control the on-screen cursor. The device was officially released in 1994.

### Technical Specifications
The hardware configuration of the First Track includes:
*   **Buttons:** The device contains two push-buttons. These are simple mechanisms with areas that can be temporarily pushed down to execute commands or control the device.
*   **Interface:** It connects to host systems via a DE-9 connector.
*   **Omissions:** The device is explicitly noted for not having a scroll wheel, a feature that would become standard in later generations of pointing devices.

### Manufacturer Profile
The First Track was manufactured by Logitech, a Swiss global provider of peripherals. 
*   **Inception:** Logitech was founded on October 2, 1981.
*   **Global Presence:** The company maintains dual headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Newark, California, USA. 
*   **Industry Standing:** As of early 2024, the manufacturer employed approximately 7,300 people and remains a major entity in the computing industry.