The 'father of wearable computing', Steve Mann built the first Linux-powered watch in 1998 and a prototype was launched by IBM two years later. “Designed to communicate wirelessly with PCs, cell phones and other wireless-enabled devices, the 'smart watch' will have the ability to view condensed email messages and directly receive pager-like messages," read the fact-sheet. “Future enhancements will include a high-resolution screen and applications that will allow the watch to be used as an access device for various Internet-based services such as up-to-the-minute information about weather, traffic conditions, the stock market, sports results and so on."

1998: Linux Wristwatch