The Evolution of Removable Storage

February 8th, 2010 by Benj Edwards

The Evolution of Removable Storage on PC World

PC World recently published my latest slideshow, The Evolution of Removable Storage, which examines removable computer storage media of the last 60 years. You’ll find plenty of fascinating pictures and lots of written history as well. It’s less like a slideshow and more like an illustrated article in spirit. I hope you enjoy it.

Technologizer also posted one of my latest pieces yesterday: 15 Consumer Electronics Design Mistakes. It’s not perfectly VC&G-related, but it is part of a series with two previous Technologizer articles of mine: 15 Classic Game Console Design Mistakes and 15 Classic PC Design Mistakes.

[ Retro Scan of the Week ] Barbie and Hot Wheels PCs

February 8th, 2010 by Benj Edwards

Patriot Mattel Barbie PC Hot Wheels PC Ad - 2000“Computers designed with kids in mind.”

[ From Parenting, September 2000, p.73 ]

Discussion Topic of the Week: Would you ever buy a PC with a themed case? If so, what would be the theme?

[ Retro Scan of the Week ] Mega Man Battle & Chase

February 1st, 2010 by Benj Edwards

Mega Man Battle and Chase PlayStation PS1 PSX Ad - 1997“The Blue Bomber takes to the road…”

By the way, I’ve been posting a Retro Scan of the Week every week now for four years straight. It kinda blows my mind. That’s over 200 scans. Is there anything left to scan? You bet.

[ From Electronic Gaming Monthly, April 1997, back cover]

Discussion Topic of the Week: What’s the best Mario Kart clone of all time?

[ Retro Scan of the Week ] Borge Specifies Verbatim

January 25th, 2010 by Benj Edwards

Victor Borge Verbatim Floppy Disk Ad - 1979So that’s how you write music.

Yes, it’s Victor Borge hawking Verbatim floppy diskettes. Despite his goofy grandpa-humor presence, “Specify Verbatim” still stands as the geekiest slogan in advertising history. It’s almost begging for the nerdy hipster t-shirt treatment. I’ll let you wear it for me.

If you want to see more computer ads featuring celebrities, check out this slideshow I did for PC World back in April 2008. Unfortunately all those scans are tiny due to image size limitations PC World had back then. You can see larger versions of a few ads that were taken from previous Retro Scans here: 1 2 3 4

[ From BYTE, November 1979, p.25 ]

Discussion Topic of the Week: Who’s your favorite celebrity computer or video game spokesman of all time?

[ Retro Scan of the Week ] The Savage Empire

January 18th, 2010 by Benj Edwards

Origin Worlds of Ultima Savage Empire Ad - 1990Meanwhile, the cover remained a one-fist affair.

I love Ultima VI, so it’s excellent that Origin made two spin-off games using the same engine. I’ve played Martian Dreams, the other Worlds of Ultima game, but never The Savage Empire. Is anybody out there a fan?

[ From Video Games and Computer Entertainment, November 1990, p.155 ]

Discussion Topic of the Week: Which is best: The Savage Empire or Martian Dreams?