There are very few technological advancements that truly change the world. There's the lightbulb, telephone, television, internet, and the personal computer. But if we could point our finger at one device that truly made it cool to own a computer, the device that you would show off to even your grandparents, it would be this. Twenty years ago this week, the Apple iMac was released, and it fundamentally changed technology and the United States forever.
When Steve Jobs arrived back at Apple in June of 1997, the company was lost. It had gone through CEOs and lackluster products left and right. Jobs wanted to reinvent the way people viewed the home computer once again. The Macintosh, Apple's most successful attempt at this to that point, was outdated and Apple failed to have any products match the reputation of the device they launched with their famous "1984" commercial.
The premise of the iMac was simple: create an all-in-one computer that looked as cool as it functioned. It would have to include everything within the box for user to start creating and working right away. It would need to have new technologies like USB, ditching legacy ports like an optical drive in favor of future-proofing the device. It needed to succeed because it was the last chance at Apple retaining their name in personal computing. And it did all of that and more.
What Apple was able to do with the iMac was able to bring productivity at a level of simplicity and efficiency to the home. It established Apple as a trendsetting brand. It became the Louis Vuitton of technology, not as exclusive but a statement. Everyone wanted an iMac, and other brands began to make copycat products in hopes of attracting more customers, yet never seeming to have the same chance to succeed like the original iMac.
It's clear and neon-colored plastic shell got Americans the chance to see their technology up close for the first time. Apple made it cool to be a computer geek and it normalized technology for all ages. Consumer technology began its exponential ascension with this product and led to our smartphones and tablets and Amazon Echos and laptops. What made the iMac so special was that it made technology an even more essential part of our lives, and it is this single device that pushed us to the tech-centric lives we live, especially here in Silicon Valley.
Sources:
https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/12/17328162/this-week-in-tech-20-years-ago-may-1998
http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-jobs-apple-fired-returned-2017-7
https://www.macworld.com/article/3271851/techology-business/the-imacs-lasting-legacy.html
Very interesting post Noah! I think what made the iMac appealing to consumers was because of how accessible it looked, with the multicolored plastic shell and easy-to-use software. One additional selling point was the price, as it replaced the original consumer-oriented Macintosh Performa that unfortunately didn't do so well. It's intriguing how Steve Jobs managed to practically save Apple from their financial downturn through basically one product, one that rivaled the iconic Macintosh released in 1984.
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Unique post about the advancement of a technological invention during the age of personalized computers. Many people don't realize that the thick clunky box that was a personalized computed back then was actually quite simplistic and sleek at the time. The idea of software being "user friendly" was the key to success in the tech business at the dawn of computers at every home. Today, our laptops are incredibly simple to understand and use, and are much more sleek and compact than the iMac was. However, in a few years the MacBook Air may suddenly seem clunky and inefficient, once there is simpler, more innovative technology on the market.
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