Jan. 24, 1984: Birth of the Cool (Computer, That Is)
I can hardly believe that the Mac is 24 years old! I missed seeing the groundbreaking ad during the Super Bowl but I already knew it was coming. I was one of the few who were already working with the pre-Mac Lisa computer that Apple tentatively introduced the year before. Little did I know then that the Mac would change my career and my life.
I am a graphic designer today because of the Mac. The computer was not the green screened machine that used DOS. It did not intimidate me – it welcomed play and work. I remember using the first release of Pagemaker on my Mac SE with it’s dual disc drives and 20MB hard drive. I was constantly popping out the discs to save or use other features. I also remember playing the first version of SimCity on the 9-inch grey screen – often going on until 3am!
I know the iPod has done wonders for Apple – it really brought Apple products to a different audience – but it’s the computer that is the staple of my world. From my G5 at home to my G5 at work (dual displays on both), the Mac will always be a part of my life.
Thanks, Apple!
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Tags: Apple, Mac, computers, design, revolution, life, culture, 1984
Musings from Sumigirl 
February 1, 2008 at 9:02 am
Oh Yea – I have had every configuration of mac – including the first “laptop”, which weighed about 30 lbs. I even had a “Newton” if you remember that. I started with the Apple II and saw a “Lisa” at a convention and jumped on the first Mac and had that sensation of “seeing the future.” I thnk within our family – we could have started a Mac Museum. Too bad we didn’t save all those. I still have a “Blue IMac” some where around here. I am interested in the “Air” for the road.