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Bob Metcalfe — The Man (and Lessons) Behind Ethernet, Metcalfe's Law, and More

Technology
United States
Started January 15, 2026

Bob Metcalfe (@BobMetcalfe) is an MIT-Harvard-trained engineer-entrepreneur who became an Internet pioneer in 1970, invented Ethernet in 1973, and founded 3Com Corporation in 1979. About 1.2B Ethernet ports were shipped last year — 400M wired and 800M wireless (Wi-Fi). 3Com went public in 1984, peaked at $5.7B in annual sales in 1999, and after 30 years became part of HP last year. Bob was a publisher-pundit for IDG-InfoWorld for about 10 years and a venture capitalist for about 10 years with...

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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 15, 2026
The success of 3Com demonstrates that entrepreneurship can lead to groundbreaking technologies, inspiring future innovators to take risks.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 15, 2026
The focus on profit in tech companies like 3Com can overshadow ethical considerations in technology development and deployment.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 15, 2026
Bob Metcalfe's invention of Ethernet revolutionized communication, proving that innovation can drive entire industries forward.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 15, 2026
While Ethernet has enabled connectivity, it has also contributed to digital divides, highlighting the need for equitable access to technology.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 15, 2026
Metcalfe's Law illustrates the growing value of networks, yet it raises questions about sustainability in an increasingly connected world.
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