That 1982 Time magazine quote about computers never being in homes still cracks me up

I was cleaning out my parents' basement last weekend and found an old copy of Time from February 1982. There was a quote from some tech analyst that said computers would never catch on in regular households because people just didn't need them for daily life. I had to laugh because I'm literally typing this on my phone while sitting on their couch, and my dad is upstairs on his iPad ordering groceries. The article talked about how refrigerators and toasters were essential but computers were just a fad for hobbyists. Fast forward 40 years and I have seven internet-connected devices within arm's reach right now. Has anyone else found old predictions that seemed reasonable at the time but now just seem ridiculous?

2 comments

2 Comments

rowan66619d agoTop Commenter

Some predictions age like milk left in the sun.

evanfox18d ago

Takes me back to all those folks who swore the internet was just a passing fad. I'd love to go back and ask them what they're using to post their hot takes now.