Old InterfacesTHE CATALOGUE OF THINGS YOU PRESS
Section 24 · Things you pressPages 116–137

Old Interfaces

The catalogue of things you pressed, typed, dialled and dragged. Ten machines from 1967 to 2000. Every one of them switches on.

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ON DEMO
IN STOREclick & type

Index of items

A–J · by catalogue letter · all on demo

  1. Office computer with a command line, item A
    A

    Office computer with a command line

    80 columns, 25 rows and a blinking cursor. No mouse.

    Item 24-11811988
  2. Desktop computer with windows and a mouse, item B
    B

    Desktop computer with windows and a mouse

    One-bit screen, pull-down menus and a trash can that bulges.

    Item 24-11841986
  3. Candybar mobile phone, item C
    C

    Candybar mobile phone

    Twelve keys, a green-lit screen, 160 characters and a worm.

    Item 24-11992000
  4. Alphanumeric pager, item D
    D

    Alphanumeric pager

    Clip it to your belt. It beeps; you find a payphone.

    Item 24-12031995
  5. Teleprinter terminal with paper tape, item E
    E

    Teleprinter terminal with paper tape

    It types the computer's answers on a roll of paper, ten letters a second.

    Item 24-10121967
  6. Green-screen terminal with a modem, item F
    F

    Green-screen terminal with a modem

    Dial a bulletin board, one caller at a time, at 1200 bits a second.

    Item 24-11401985
  7. Television with teletext, item G
    G

    Television with teletext

    Hundreds of pages of text hidden inside the TV picture.

    Item 24-10771982
  8. Pocket organiser with a stylus, item H
    H

    Pocket organiser with a stylus

    A diary, an address book and a notepad you write on with a plastic pen.

    Item 24-12151998
  9. Answering machine with two tapes, item I
    I

    Answering machine with two tapes

    A blinking number tells you who called while you were out.

    Item 24-11661991
  10. Home computer with a web browser and modem, item J
    J

    Home computer with a web browser and modem

    Grey pages, blue links and a picture that loads line by line.

    Item 24-12301996

In order of appearance

  1. 1967ETeleprinter terminal with paper tape
  2. 1982GTelevision with teletext
  3. 1985FGreen-screen terminal with a modem
  4. 1986BDesktop computer with windows and a mouse
  5. 1988AOffice computer with a command line
  6. 1991IAnswering machine with two tapes
  7. 1995DAlphanumeric pager
  8. 1996JHome computer with a web browser and modem
  9. 1998HPocket organiser with a stylus
  10. 2000CCandybar mobile phone

Years are when a machine like this was typical in shops and offices, not when the idea was invented.