Alexander Gromnitsky's Blog

Cultural bias

Latest update:

Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2022 18:11:26 +1100
From: Rob Pike <robpike@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: gmane.org.unix-heritage.general
Subject: Re: Early Unix and Keyboard Skills
Message-ID: <CAKzdPgzm8fkT5SeAFf+uaesp-oti2UndDdTPiB8MRU3CPebfRw@mail.gmail.com>

… In the 1970s Bell Labs created the Getset - think of it as an early
wired smartphone, or a Minitel, with a little screen and keyboard. It
cost quite a bit but was a cool gadget so the executives all got
one. But, in fascinating contrast to the Blackberry a generation
later, no one would touch it - literally - because it had a keyboard,
and keyboards were for (female) secretaries, not (male)
executives. The product, although well ahead of its time, was a
complete failure due to the cultural bias then.

Tags: quote, ойті
Authors: ag