Comments on: History of computers in ads https://habitablezone.com/2011/06/25/history-of-computers-in-ads/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:20:54 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: TB https://habitablezone.com/2011/06/25/history-of-computers-in-ads/#comment-2806 TB Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:41:57 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=2015#comment-2806 That brings back memories. I remember using Compuserve. And I'd forgotten all about "Charlie Chaplin" being the IBM spokesman! I looked up a few YouTube ads. I don't remember the "Wizard of Odyssey" at all, or Bill Cosby selling computers. I still have an Osborne and an old PC-AT in my closet. I set myself up in business years ago as a patent draftsman, and my innovation was to computerize the process (many applications involved circuit diagrams). At the time, it was hideously expensive. The AutoCAD, computer, dual monitors (back then AutoCAD had a "text" screen and a separate "graphics" screen) and flatbed plotter set me back something like $13,000. I had to finance it like a car. That brings back memories. I remember using Compuserve.

And I’d forgotten all about “Charlie Chaplin” being the IBM spokesman! I looked up a few YouTube ads.

I don’t remember the “Wizard of Odyssey” at all, or Bill Cosby selling computers.

I still have an Osborne and an old PC-AT in my closet. I set myself up in business years ago as a patent draftsman, and my innovation was to computerize the process (many applications involved circuit diagrams). At the time, it was hideously expensive. The AutoCAD, computer, dual monitors (back then AutoCAD had a “text” screen and a separate “graphics” screen) and flatbed plotter set me back something like $13,000. I had to finance it like a car.

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