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Mouse Cursor History (and why I made my own)

Posy · explainer · Watch on YouTube

GUI, HCI & interface historyGraphic design & typographyHistory of computing

What it is

Posy gives a short history of the computer mouse cursor, from early straight pointers to the tilted arrow, comparing Apple and Windows designs. He then explains why he designed his own cursor set and offers it as a free download.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN treats it as the definitive, short, well-made video on mouse cursors and pulls it out whenever cursor design, pixel perfection or the tilted arrow comes up.

  • 4 people recommended it
  • 4 different months
  • 5 strong recommendations
  • first 2022, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “This is a really good video about how Apple cares about being pixel perfect compared to Windows”

    Compares Apple and Windows pixel perfection through cursor icons

    dmix, 2022-06 · Strong recommendation · in “Challenge: Pixel perfect design”

  2. “I highly recommend this video”

    History of the macOS cursor and other cursor schemes

    ChilledTonic, 2023-03 · Strong recommendation · in “macOS Cursors”

  3. “It is one of those amazing videos that make the internet worthwhile, is short”

    History of mouse cursors including historical straight ones

    vintagedave, 2024-02 · Strong recommendation · in “Why is the mouse cursor slightly tilted and not straight?”

  4. “There's an amazing video by Posy documenting mouse cursor history”

    Amazing documentation of cursor history with his own cursor pack

    baxuz, 2024-02 · Strong recommendation · in “Why is the mouse cursor slightly tilted and not straight?”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: mouse cursor, gui design, history of computing, pixel art, macos, windows

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