# René Sommer

> Swiss inventor and computer programmer (1951-2009)

**Wikidata**: [Q122397](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122397)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/René_Sommer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rene-sommer

## Summary
René Sommer was a Swiss inventor and computer programmer born in 1951. Recognized for his contributions to software development and engineering, he is identified in historical records as an inventor in the computing field. He passed away in Blonay, Switzerland, in 2009.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1951
- **Died:** October 5, 2009 (aged 57–58)
- **Death Place:** Blonay, Switzerland
- **Nationality:** Switzerland
- **Known for:** Computer programming, software engineering, and invention.
- **Field(s):** Software development, Computer Science
- **Sex/Gender:** Male

## Contributions
Based on the structured data provided, René Sommer is classified as a practitioner of software engineering and a person concerned with the facets of the software development process. While the specific technical details of his software projects are not listed in the source text, his professional identity is defined by his dual role as a programmer and an inventor.

Source references indicate a specific association with the development of computer hardware technology. Archival news links provided in the data describe him as a "computer mouse inventor," and photographic metadata places him alongside Douglas Engelbart—the pioneer of the computer mouse—in December 2008. This suggests Sommer held a significant role in the innovation or refinement of computer interface devices, distinct from but related to his work in software.

## FAQs

### Q: When and where did René Sommer die?
A: René Sommer died on October 5, 2009, in Blonay, Switzerland.

### Q: What was René Sommer's profession?
A: He was a Swiss inventor, computer programmer, and software developer.

### Q: Is there a visual record of René Sommer?
A: Yes, an image of René Sommer with Douglas Engelbart exists in the Wikimedia Commons, dated December 10, 2008.

## Why They Matter
René Sommer matters as a representative of Swiss innovation in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, specifically bridging the disciplines of software programming and hardware invention. His classification as both a software developer and an inventor highlights a career that likely involved the intersection of coding and physical computing devices.

The significance of his work is hinted at by his association with figures like Douglas Engelbart and media references to the "computer mouse." This connection places Sommer within the critical history of human-computer interaction. By working on both the software (programming) and hardware (invention) sides of technology, he contributed to the foundational infrastructure of personal computing. His legacy is preserved through multiple language entries on Wikipedia and archival records, indicating a recognized impact on the global technology community.

## Notable For
*   **Multi-disciplinary Expertise:** Identified formally as both a software engineer and an inventor.
*   **Swiss Computing Heritage:** A noted Swiss figure in the technology sector (1951–2009).
*   **Association with Interface Technology:** Linked via source references and imagery to the history of the computer mouse.
*   **International Recognition:** His biographical data is maintained across six Wikipedia languages (Commons, German, English, Spanish, French, Malagasy).

## Body

### Vital Statistics
René Sommer was a male Swiss national born in 1951. He resided in Switzerland until his death in the municipality of Blonay on October 5, 2009.

### Professional Identity
Sommer's career was rooted in the technology sector, where he occupied the roles of programmer, software developer, and software engineer. According to structured class definitions, his work involved writing computer software and managing facets of the software development process. Additionally, he held the distinct title of "inventor," implying contributions that extended beyond code to technological creation.

### Historical Context and Associations
Archival data connects Sommer to significant figures in computer history. A photograph from December 10, 2008, documents him with Douglas Engelbart. Furthermore, contemporary news reports referenced in his bibliographic data designate him as a "computer mouse inventor," situating his work within the evolution of computer peripherals.

### Digital Footprint
Sommer is recorded in several knowledge bases, including Wikidata, Freebase (ID: /m/09gflcv), and Prabook (ID: 1941500). His biography is accessible in five linguistic domains on Wikipedia, reflecting his international relevance in the tech community.

## References

1. [Source](http://worldradio.ch/wrs/news/wrsnews/computer-mouse-inventor-dies-in-vaud.shtml?16283)