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Tue, 24 Jan 2006 Macintosh is 22 today

Macworld staff

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It's 22 years since Apple first screened its epoch-defining 1984 ad for the original Macintosh at the Super Bowl.

"On January 24, Apple Computer will introduce Macintosh. And you'll see why 1984 won't be like 1984," the ad declared.

The $2,495 Mac introduced an all-new innovation: "Users tell Macintosh what to do simply by moving a "mouse" - a small pointing device - to select among functions listed in menus and represented by pictorial symbols on the screen," the company said.


IDC analyst Aaron Goldberg said at the time: "There's no doubt Apple has a winner with this product. The market has been waiting for this combination of technology, ease of operation and price."

The original Mac cost $78 million to develop. Apple introduced it to a packed house at the Flint Center at De Anza College on January 24, 1984.

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs strode on stage and recited a few verses from Bob Dylan's 'The Times They Are A-Changin''.

He focused on IBM as the obstacle to the change agent of computing innovation: "Apple is perceived to be the only hope to offer IBM a run for its money. Dealers, initially welcoming IBM with open arms, now fear an IBM-dominated and controlled future. They are increasingly turning back to Apple as the only force that can ensure their future freedom," he said.

"IBM wants it all and is aiming its guns on its last obstacle to industry control: Apple. Will Big Blue dominate the entire computer industry, the entire information age? Was George Orwell right?"

The crowd screamed "No", and a screen behind Jobs showed the commercial for the very first time.

"No! No! No!," the screen behind Jobs flickered to life with the groundbreaking 1984 commercial.

He then introduced the crowd to the new machine.

You can watch a video of the Flint Center announcement here.

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