Project 2000 Video - Apple Computer (1988)

In 1988 Apple produced this video to accompany its very cool Project 2000 competition. The short video showcases different machines and features that Apple saw as just around the corner. Though Project 2000 was a student competition, this video doesn't show the winning team nor their Apple tablet of the future; rather we hear Steve Wozniak, Alvin Toffler, Alan Kay, Diane Ravitch, and Ray Bradbury talk about their hopes for the computer devices of the future.

While I wince a little seeing the techno-reactionary and future-shocker Alvin Toffler talking about how great it would be to read books in any language -- isn't this the guy who wants the future to slow down?-- it's really cool to see Wozniak's enthusiasm for the personal computer revolution.

The implication of this much computing power at a very affordable cost is partly one of those because of the fact it is so radically different than anything we could have ever expected. Where the very hugest super-computers of my lifetime, early in my lifetime, are now equalled by inexpensive personal computers that you can buy everywhere and anyone can own. It's like you can't even say where this is going to go.

Thanks to Tim Carmondy for pointing me to this great video.

Previously on Paleo-Future:

• Project 2000 - Apple Computer (1988)
• Apple Computer in 1997 (1987)
• Apple's Grey Flannel Navigator (1988)
• Apple's Knowledge Navigator (1987)
• The Disease of the Future (1970)
• Future Shock (1972)

Comments

[Anonymous]

Even 22 years ago, the iPad had a cool OS and a camera, or whatever the hell is that thing crammed on top of the display.

[baobabs]

This site is fantastic... looks like no one predicted the ipad, iphone etc... still this reminds me of a kindle... so we are not that far off!

[laptop asus]

Looks like no one predicted the ipad, iphone etc... still this reminds me of a kindle...
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laptop asus

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thanks for taking your time to update this web information.

[Jose]

Toffler was essentialy a cornucopian, if you look at his statements of the future he was expecting something akin to a singularity (although in his case it was more like the movie Zardoz) happening any minute now which would mess with people's heads.

[Geoff Jackson]

Brilliant. Wonder what Apple can predict around the corner in the tech world for the next 20 years, Frightening to think.

Geoff @ gaming pc shop.

[Adam]

I remember watching this in 1988. I can remember the computer class I was in and I specifically remember being amazed by the chrome dinosaurs.