Larry Tesler, computer scientist who invented ‘cut-copy-paste’, dies at 74

Larry Tesler, a US computer scientist who invented “cut”, “copy” and “paste” commands on computer, has passed on.

He died on Monday, aged 74.

While the cause of his death is yet to be known, Xerox, Tesler’s former company, where he spent most part of his working years, announced his death on its social media page on Wednesday.

“The inventor of cut/copy & paste, find & replace, and more was former Xerox researcher Larry Tesler. Your workday is easier thanks to his revolutionary ideas. Larry passed away Monday, so please join us in celebrating him,” it wrote on Twitter.

The inventor of cut/copy & paste, find & replace, and more was former Xerox researcher Larry Tesler. Your workday is easier thanks to his revolutionary ideas. Larry passed away Monday, so please join us in celebrating him. Photo credit: Yahoo CC-By-2.0 https://t.co/MXijSIMgoA pic.twitter.com/kXfLFuOlon

— Xerox (@Xerox) February 19, 2020

Born in Bronx, New York, in 1945, Tesley attended Stanford University in California, where he studied computer science.

The late icon had after graduation embarked on several findings on how to make computer systems more user-friendly — a drive which made him work for various tech firms.

Tesley started out his working days at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (Parc) where he established himself with strings of innovations.

He left consequently to work with Apple after he was contacted by Steve Jobs, where he worked for 17 years during which he rose through the ranks to become the chief scientist.

He didn’t stay put at Apple, though, leaving afterwards to have short spells with Amazon and Yahoo while also setting up an education start-up during the period.