A wearable computer is a small, lightweight computing device that can be worn on the body without discomfort. It was invented in the 1970s and is meant to be worn like glasses or watches, acting as an intelligent assistant. A wearable computer has six main characteristics - it is unmonopolizing, unrestrictive, observable, controllable, attentive, and communicative. It works through communication between the user and device using sensory inputs, allows multitasking, and enables the user to access and change information. Potential applications include military, medical, facial recognition, finger tracking, communication, entertainment, and games.