We were recently reminiscing about our first personal computers (Apple IIE and Commodore 64 topped the list). Then we got to thinking about the people who shelled out hard earned money for our first computers — our parents. While many families encouraged their sons and daughters to play sports and make friends, our families encouraged us to learn about technology. They made us into geeks.
What convinced our parents to be so tech-obsessed? Perhaps it was the TV advertisements. Here’s a fun look back at personal computer ads of yesteryear…
Did you know Kevin Costner was a high-powered, computer-using 80’s businessman? He wasn’t. But he played one on TV! In this mellow Mac ad, the future star of Waterworld shows how cool it’ll be to ride a bike, own a dog and run a company. It does have a prescient tag line: “There are going to be two kinds of people in this world. Those who use computers. And those who use Apples.” Word.
I know what’ll sell the Commodore! Girls in bikinis at a water park, contrasted with a geek trapped in his room working on the computer.
(Also, computers were $499? That’s how much a cheap one costs today.)
The VIC20 is “the wonder computer of the 1980’s”? Don’t believe me? Maybe a trusted name in technology will sway you. How about… WILLIAM EFFING SHATNER? Nice hand modeling, Captain!
“Computers are happening!” Yeah, man. Computers are where it’s at!
IBM was traditionally a business machine type of company. Hence the “B” and “M” in IBM. For some reason they thought the use of M*A*S*H actors would convince people to use their hardware.
IBM wasn’t the only company using M*A*S*H stars to hawk computers. Check out the sensible sounding Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) as he touts the use of computers as word processors. The glib Alda even suggests that computers will make typewriters obsolete. Say what?!
We’re not sure what John Cleese is doing in this ad, or how it would help sell computers. But it cracks us up.
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