Steve Jobs, Atari Employee (1974)

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Steve Jobs, 1970s

Frank Cifaldi, at video game industry Web Site Gamasutra, has published a fascinating look at the early years of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Jobs, who passed away last week at age 56, worked as a technician for Atari in Los Gatos, CA after dropping out of college in 1974.

The article describes how Jobs first arrived at Atari looking “scuzzy” and that the company’s Pong engineer, Al Alcorn, said “He really doesn’t have much skills at all.” Nevertheless, the future visionary was hired and did fairly well for himself. Here’s a tasty quote:

“Jobs was hired as Atari employee #40, as a technician fixing up and tweaking circuit board designs. One of his first roles was finishing the technical design of Touch Me, a simple arcade memory game similar to Ralph Baer’s later Simon toy. He more than likely helped out on other games that year, such as racer Gran Trak 20 and the odd experiment Puppy Pong…

After about five or six months of saving money and working the night shift (often inviting friend, collaborator and eventual Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak into the office to help him with engineering challenges), Jobs approached Alcorn to let him know he was quitting the company to go to India, meet his guru, and conduct what he referred to as ‘spiritual research.'”

70s Spots: Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain (’79)

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Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain debut September, 1979

The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride made its Disneyland debut in September of 1979. As you might imagine the ride was advertised aggressively on TV sets – at least in Southern California. I can remember the excitement surrounding the opening and waiting in very long lines once I eventually made it to the park and had a chance to hop on. You’ll also notice that in the 70s Disneyland was generally only open Wednesday through Sunday during the off-season.

Check out a 30 second spot from ’79 below.

Funshine Friday: Pink Panther in ‘Psst Pink’

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The Pink Panther rides uphill before it all goes downhill in 'Psst Pink' (1971)

Happy Funshine Friday, folks! It’s time to take a well-earned break and watch an episode of DePatie-Freleng’s Pink Panther. The cartoon on tap today is Psst Pink from 1971 (that’d be MCMLXXI). Throughout the 70s Pink Panther cartoons could be found on both TV and movie screens. Enjoy.

The Greg Brady Project and the Brady Brunch

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Barry Williams' Greg Brady Project Web Site

Actor Barry Williams of The Brady Bunch returned to the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre in Branson, Missouri today to begin a series of multi-media variety performances entitled “Brady Brunch.” Yes, “Brunch.” The shows take place at 10:30 AM and include a meal while Williams sings, tells stories and screens videos. You can read all about it on Williams’ Web Site The Greg Brady Project.

While there you can also read about Williams recent meet-up and dinner in New York with Brady Mom, Florence Henderson, on her Life Is Not A Stage book tour. You go, Greg!

Williams Brady Brunch Quote:

“The music now covers the 70’s, current day and standards. We expanded the clips, videos and stories. We made it interactive… I have brunch together with the audience and answer questions while we eat. We added a trivia game before the show to test Brady Bunch knowledge. I pulled out the Johnny Bravo jacket to start the show and fortunately… it still FITS! I share real stories about my life with the Brady’s and my own family. We also made sure that the brunch was tasty, hot and healthy.

Originally we hoped the reaction to the show would warrant a three month run in the fall of 2012. The support and response was so strong, I have booked 182 shows which begin on October 5th this year and run through December of 2012.”

70s Spots: Have a Pepsi Day!

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'Have a Pepsi Day', 1977. Helmets required.

“Have a Pepsi Day!” was the slogan for Pepsi Cola from 1975-1978. Below we have an excellent example of a Pepsi TV spot from around 1977. Click for a refreshing 30 seconds of skateboarding Summer fun. Striped shirts, tube socks and fat skateboard wheels. Check. Check. And check. I don’t remember that many skaters wearing helmets though. Let’s hear it for Pepsi safety!

“You’re the Pepsi Generation – come and have a Pepsi day.
C’mon, c’mon c’mon and taste the Pepsi way.
C’mon, c’mon c’mon and have a Pepsi day.
Wrap a thirsty smile around it – raise a Pepsi up and down it.
C’mon, c’mon. C’mon c’mon.
Have a Pepsi day!”

Trailer Tuesday: Ron Howard’s ‘Grand Theft Auto’ (1977)

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Grand Theft Auto, 1977. ‘It’s a comedy…with car crashes.’

Ah, it’s Tuesday and that means we have another fine movie trailer on display for you. Drive into the clicker below and enjoy a two minute look at Ron Howard’s directorial debut Grand Theft Auto.

GTA released in of June of 1977 and was commercially successful (to the auto-tune of 15 million big ones.) Reviews, however, weren’t overwhelmingly positive. I sure enjoyed it at the age of 10. A great many cars lost their lives in this 70s chase pic. That was entertainment enough.

‘GRAND THEFT AUTO’ TRAILER (1977)

Grand Theft Auto Wiki, IMDb