Origins & History
Why does the cursor blink?
→ The cursor blinks to make it visible among static text. The alternating display catches your attention without obscuring the content beneath it.
Answer
Why does the cursor blink?
The cursor blinks to make it visible among static text. The alternating display catches your attention without obscuring the content beneath it.
On early CRT screens, a static cursor would blend into the surrounding text, making it difficult to locate. The blinking effect, typically at around 1 Hz, creates visual contrast that draws the eye while remaining calm enough not to distract from reading.