I wrote about my obsession with Apple Computers several years ago when the Macintosh was celebrating its 21st birthday. When I saw last night (via my iPod Touch) that Steve Jobs had just died at the age of 56, I thought about the impact his beloved company has had on my life. I'm the first to admit that to non Mac-users, we Apple fanatics must appear like the worst kind of cult members—constantly drooling about how pieces of machinery are changing our lives and talking about Steve Jobs like he was the Second Coming of Christ. I'm aware of how we must come across as condescending and superior. It's embarrassing... but we just can't help it. I was surprised to learn that Steve Jobs was so young when he died. Doesn't it seem like a million years ago when that amazing 1984 commercial (directed by Ridley Scott) first introduced the Mac in a frightening, futuristic way during the Super Bowl?
A few years ago someone found the long-lost introduction of the computer by Steve Jobs that aired on public television. Watch the crowd scream with shock and delight as they witness the marvels of this machine that had less RAM and speed than we’d accept in a Happy Meal toy today!
Can you believe the original Mac cost $2,495? I was just talking to my brother about the first printer my dad bought back in those early days. It was capable of printing only one font at a time and used that paper with the holes on the side that you had to feed in and it cost $3,500! Unbelievable. But we thought it was the coolest thing on Earth.
My first introduction to computers was watching the great Spencer Tracy/Katharine Hepburn movie, “The Desk Set.” Hepburn’s Bunny Watson is a crack research librarian who is forced by Tracy’s Richard Sumner to accept the inevitably of the computer age. Tracy is hired to make the research department where Hepburn works more efficient so he drags in the gigantic room-sized Emerac computer which, while weighing several tons and requiring thousands of punched cards as data entry, had less computer power than my microwave oven. Hepburn’s loyal assistants, played by Joan Blondell and Dina Merrill, are convinced that the new computer spells doom for their jobs but Kate is not intimidated. At one point she takes on the computer in a research pissing contest and wins hands down as poor Emerac has a nervous breakdown. A prominent theme throughout the film is how the aging Hepburn’s chances for landing a mate are rapidly diminishing, so the ultimate takeover of the computer is presented as a positive step towards women achieving what they really need: HUSBANDS! The screenplay for “The Desk Set” was written by Phoebe and Henry Ephron, the parents of Delia and Nora Ephron who 40 years later wrote the screenplay for “You’ve Got Mail,” another computer-based movie. I think my favorite computer flick was “Demon Seed” in which Julie Christie was actually raped and impregnated by a computer. Talk about fear of new technology!
I bought my first Macintosh just after moving to Los Angeles in 1986 and I’ve been hooked ever since. It was a Mac Plus and considering it had the Heinz ketchup speed of 8 MHz and a paltry 4 MB of RAM, can you freaking believe I paid $2,600 for it?! That’s without the dot matrix printer that cost another $2,000 and was so loud I remember putting a cardboard box over it while it was printing to avoid disturbing my downstairs neighbors. In 1987, the company I was working for got its first laser printer and its arrival was greeted with the same reverence and celebration as Mottel the Tailor’s sewing machine in “Fiddler on the Roof.” I remember printing a single paragraph and running all over the building showing the sheet of paper to everyone as they gasped at the perfect, non-typewritten text. There were no such things as laptops, of course, and we could not fathom the idea that one day people would be carrying around little portable computers wirelessly hooked up to the Internet (which in 1986 was still called the ARPANET and was used only by the military). They might just as well have speculated that we’d all be sexually assaulted by Julie Christie's computer. My long line of Macintosh computers, now leeching dangerous chemicals in landfills all over California, included names like the Macintosh IIsi, LC, Quadra, Centris, Performa, Power Macintosh 6500, PowerMac G3, Wallstreet and Pismo PowerBooks, IBook, all the way to the three-year-old MacBook I’m writing on right now.
I really do think Steve Jobs altered the face of this planet with the Macintosh. He changed our lives every bit as much as Henry Ford did in his day, and Jobs had the advantage of not being a raving, evil anti-Semite like Ford was. For the full story of the birth of the Macintosh, see the Folklore website and have a Geek’s day in paradise! Again, I realize that people who love Macs act like cult members or fetishists. I’m sure PC people want to sink into the ground when they see us coming because they know we’re about to launch into one of our smug speeches on the inherent superiority of the Macintosh. Sometimes I think that the gulf between Israelis and Palestinians is more manageable than the one between Mac and PC users.
My immediate family members own so many Macs we could open up an Apple warehouse. I stopped counting how many desktops, laptops, iPods, iPads, and iPhones there are in my sister's house in Chicago. Her husband Jeff appeared in an ad campaign for Apple years ago which was more exciting to us than when he played Madison Square Garden or the Hollywood Bowl.
I don't know that much about Steve Jobs, the Man, but from what I've heard, including the brilliant commencement speech he gave at Stanford several years ago, he was a real mensch. Rest in peace, Steve.
Nicely written, Danny!
Posted by: David Heath | October 06, 2011 at 02:18 PM
That video from 1984 is amazing. The man was the rare combination of an entrepreneur, CEO and showman -- even way back in 1984.
Posted by: Jeff | October 06, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Dear Danny,
I am about as far from being a geek as anyone could get. I was finally dragged, kicking and screaming, into buying a computer, when I went back to school, about 10 years ago. I bought a Dell.
When that computer became riddled with viruses and other problems, I made the (for me) daring leap to Apple, buying a $2,000 MacBook Pro. I can't find the words to describe the glorious advantages that my new lap top had over the old one.
While, I'm far from being a fanatic, I'm definitely a huge fan. And, I would never even consider buying anything other than a Mac.
As for Steve Jobs, he always seemed wrapped up in the wonder of discovering what amazing things he could make his machines do, unlike his rival, who was obviously overtaken by greed, with no concern for the quality of the product he produced.
Steve Jobs, inarguably, belongs right up there with the greatest inventors of all time.
Thanks,
Gordon
Posted by: Gordon | October 06, 2011 at 05:05 PM
He was a genius! And you are right---He changed the way we communicate with each other, forever!! Quite a feat if you really think about it....
I am a PC user and if I weren't so ancient I might switch to an Apple of sorts---but the learning curve is just too much for me now....But I sure see the advantages of ALL that this amazing man created...! RIP Steve Jobs.
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | October 06, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Great post, Danny.
Since last night, every time I read something or see the news, I start crying. I bought my first Mac in 1984 (with an Apple ][ before that), and since 1986 I've been working exclusively on Macs. I don't know what I'd be doing now if it wasn't for Apple, since I write Mac (and now iOS) software for a living.
I remember the dark days in the early 90s after Apple was fired when Apple seemed lost. When Jobs returned, at first I was afraid he would be out of control like the old days, and I pooh-poohed the original iMac, but thankfully I was wrong.
Posted by: Mike Cohen | October 06, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Danny,
I wrote my doctoral dissertation on a Mac Plus!
This was a great post. Thank you for this.
Posted by: tamarika | October 07, 2011 at 02:46 AM
My fingers arrived late to the party--mid-1996--and it really wasn't until I was confronted with that baked-Alaska-looking iMac w/the 17" screen from around 2003 upon which I typed for 6 long years in the salt mines of academia as a worker drone that I became a convert to a universe in which it was possible to carry one's entire photographic and musical libraries around like one's blankey. I've never looked back and the quality of my life was improved and changed forever.
I'd have an iPhone and an iPad if I didn't have to pay intermediaries extra for the waves to float them on.
As usual, lovely post, Danny. I watched that commencement speech 3 times yesterday and plan to do so again in the near future. Wise words from a man whose contribution to society, while recognized today, will no doubt only grow as time goes by.
iSad, too,
Posted by: The Pliers | October 07, 2011 at 06:31 AM
Let's not forget this familiar family member's appearance in the first Apple ad in the 2001 Rip, Mix, Burn campaign. Besides Jeff, it included Liz Phair, George Clinton, De La Soul, Ziggy Marley, Iggy Pop, Little Kim, Smashmouth, Deep Dish, Aimee Mann, and Barry White!
Posted by: Your big brother, Bruce | October 08, 2011 at 01:04 PM
I just read my post above... I realize I talked about everything but Steve Jobs, who has been a personal hero of mine for over 20 years. And like Gordon commented earlier - one of the greatest inventors ever. I often have called him our generation's Thomas Edison. The feelings I had when I learned of his death were very reminiscent of my feelings when I heard John Lennon died. I miss them both.
Posted by: Your big brother, Bruce | October 08, 2011 at 06:12 PM
Long time PC user, but great fan of Jobs and the Mac. And my iphone runs my life. I never saw that launch video. What a showman! Do you know where that was shot? Who was the audience? They were so excited.
Posted by: Neil | October 15, 2011 at 07:43 AM
I can't believe i didn't go to your blog earlier. I too love my MacBookPro. Steve Jobs was a personal hero to me. Think different was a brilliant campaign, everything about him was brilliance personified. His presentations were spectacular. Thanks for that old video...how young he was back then! So sad to have lost him...reminding me more of George Harrison who also had everything to live for but his cancer got to him. All I could think of to say is Thanks Steve. We'll miss you more than you could imagine. That Stanford speech is truly inspiring. Anyone who thinks they are too old for Macs are badly mistaken and are depriving themselves needlessly (Old Lady of the Hills)....try it, you'll love it...visit any Apple store and change your life!!!
Posted by: Judy | October 20, 2011 at 06:35 AM
I just saw this from my son's facebook page..a real trip down memory lane...an ode to apple2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szXzvXiyO8k
for real fanatics...enjoy!
Posted by: Judy | October 20, 2011 at 07:18 AM