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Apple's Famous '1984' Commercial Aired 41 Years Ago Today

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Apple's iconic "1984" commercial, which introduced the Macintosh computer to the world, aired 41 years ago today during Super Bowl XVIII.

1984-ad.jpg

Directed by Ridley Scott, the advertisement was designed to highlight the Macintosh as a groundbreaking computer that offers freedom and individuality in a market dominated by corporate conformity. It drew inspiration from George Orwell's dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, with Apple positioning itself as a liberator from the homogenized control represented by the fictional "Big Brother," a veiled allegory for IBM.

The ad concludes with the voiceover stating, "On January 24th, Apple Computer will introduce Macintosh. And you'll see why 1984 won't be like '1984.'"



Despite its eventual acclaim, the commercial faced skepticism within Apple. The board of directors expressed concerns about its unconventional approach, and John Sculley, Apple's CEO at the time, even attempted to sell the purchased Super Bowl ad slots.

While the commercial aired nationally only once, the Macintosh reportedly achieved $3.5 million in sales within months of its launch.

Article Link: Apple's Famous '1984' Commercial Aired 41 Years Ago Today
 
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https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/22/1984-commercial-aired-41-years-ago/
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I'm surprised given the importance of this ad, that Apple have never officially released it for viewing, remastered or not. In fact I'm surprised they haven't opened an archive of their ads and keynotes, considering that's what they are famous for.
 
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Mr-Stabby said:
I'm surprised given the importance of this ad, that Apple have never officially released it for viewing, remastered or not. In fact I'm surprised they haven't opened an archive of their ads and keynotes, considering that's what they are famous for.
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They now release first party, new content, that is super dystopian

Like the wife who totally forgets her husbands birthday and has her phone whip up a "photo memory" real quick to show how much she loves him

Nothing so heartwarming and heartfelt as basically a "smart album cycling through with generic music"

"Thanks honey!! I feel so loved by your phone App making a slideshow for me"
 
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“…liberator from the homogenized control represented by the fictional "Big Brother," a veiled allegory for IBM.”

What a powerful statement 😊
 
turbineseaplane said:
And now Apple epitomizes all the dystopia they were critically highlighting

The legacy of Tim Cook
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Yes, of the 3 characters in the commercial (the face on the screen, the audience and the woman), let's call who's who now in 2025.

In 1984, I believe that was:
  • face on screen: IBM/PC establishment
  • audience: PC users/lemmings, supporting whatever the face/corp says & does without question
  • woman: us, the rebels, resisting and capable of "think different"
In 2025, who's who now?
 
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turbineseaplane said:
They now release first party, new content, that is super dystopian

Like the wife who totally forgets her husbands birthday and has her phone whip up a "photo memory" real quick to show how much she loves him

Nothing so heartwarming and heartfelt as basically a "smart album cycling through with generic music"

"Thanks honey!! I feel so loved by your phone App making a slideshow for me"
Click to expand...

...which presumably immediately thereafter, she takes HER phone back so he doesn't even get to keep his(?) gift(?). At least there's hope for the daughters who both remembered and gave him a gift that he gets to keep beyond a few minutes.

I'm not sure the general theme of all of those commercials- which all seemed to revolve around using AI to put one over on other people- is the best benefit of AI to push. I don't exactly get excited about brand new tech with the main highlight being my ability to fool others. I know AI is not just that... but that's the advertised core message underpinning all of those commercials: how smart(?) the lead is for using AI to fool those around them. Can AI not do any good? Or is it only about being sneaky, tricky, lazy, etc? Again, rhetorical but that whole set of commercials seem to cast it only the one way.
 
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turbineseaplane said:
What happened to her hammer?
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Accumulated "thinner" over time and ejection of common use ports & pieces spun as "courageous" & "the future." But if she's willing to spend more, she can buy back what is taken away in add-ons.

I presume by 2030, the same girl might only have the handle left- probably thinnered into a toothpick- and by 2035, the sledgehammer order is fulfilled by an empty box... to which additional money can then buy back what used to come in a box marked Sledgehammer. ;)

BTW: I hear the next Thor movie will be made by Apple... and Mjölnir will be "thinnered" to look just like that one.

...just laughs & laughs his way to defeat. ;)
 
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tonywalker23 said:
Woman with white shirt and orange shorts holding a hammer, created with Apple Intelligence. Look how bold and brave this little company from April 1, 1976 has pushed humanity forward.

View attachment 2474695
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Omitting the errors here, what is the point of this type of feature?

Who wants or needs "Toy Story" styled manufactured imagery?

I just do not understand the desire for any of this
 
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