Mac Turns 30

On January 24, 2014, the Macintosh computer turned 30. Wow.

The first time I saw a Mac (in person) was sometime during the spring semester of my senior year of college. The business school extended an invitation to the visual communications department to join them for a presentation of the original Mac. Up until then, the only computers I had worked with were, to say the least, not friendly with clunky interfaces (anyone remember punch cards?) and lots of code to remember.

We watched with great curiosity as the new machine’s capabilities were demonstrated—puzzled not only by the (really) small screen and the odd soap-bar-like “mouse,” but also by the limited number of fonts (only five typefaces—most designers can use more than that before they finish their morning coffee). It was an odd little thing (but it seemed to be very nice), and I don’t think any of us realized how completely that small, friendly machine (and its many descendants) would totally change the world of graphic design.

Now 30 years later, I realize (not for the first time) my design career has been largely defined (and redefined) by a Mac (from my first, and much loved, IICi to my current 27″ iMac with its wireless keyboard and super sleek Magic Mouse).

So, happy birthday Mac. And many more!