‘Today, Computers Should Interest Everybody’. The Meanings of Microcomputers
- By the late 1970s, it was technologically possible to manufacture microcomputers – very small, stand-alone computers for personal use – in very large quantities. Selling them, however, meant creating a mass market where none existed: conventionally, only trained professionals, and a few devoted enthusiasts, interacted directly with the machines. Designers, marketers, retailers and other promoters therefore sought to build meanings into the design and presentation of computers which would connect them with new audiences. Such meanings reflected – and might themselves modify – the prevalent hopes, fears, desires and expectations of the users’ cultures.
Author: | James SumnerORCiDGND |
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URL: | https://www.zeithistorische-forschungen.de/2-2012/4725 |
DOI: | https://doi.org/10.14765/zzf.dok-1589 |
Parent Title (English): | Zeithistorische Forschungen – Studies in Contemporary History |
Publisher: | ZZF – Centre for Contemporary History: Zeithistorische Forschungen |
Place of publication: | Potsdam |
Document Type: | Journal Article |
Language: | English |
Date of Publication (online): | 2012/09/07 |
Date of first Publication: | 2012/09/07 |
Release Date: | 2019/08/21 |
Volume: | 9 |
Issue: | 2 |
First Page: | 307 |
Last Page: | 315 |
ZZF Chronological-Classification: | 2000er |
1980er | |
1990er | |
21. Jahrhundert | |
ZZF Topic-Classification: | Alltag |
Kultur | |
Design | |
Kommunikation | |
Medien | |
Technik | |
Materielle Kultur | |
Computerisierung | |
Unternehmen | |
Wissen | |
ZZF Regional-Classification: | ohne regionalen Schwerpunkt |
Web-Publications: | Zeithistorische Forschungen |
Studies in Contemporary History: Articles: | 2 / 2012 Computerisierung und Informationsgesellschaft |
Licence (German): | ZZF - Clio Lizenz |