The origin of the term is contested, but may be derived from “George Stick”, named for a possible inventor.
I knew the device itself predated gaming, but I always assumed it gained the joystick name from some game company. I’m surprised to to learn its unrelated!
Was the personal computer invented by “John Computer”?
Herbert Macintosh will be very offended by this!
No, his name was Percival Computer. Personal computer is just a common mishearing of the word.