Valentine’s day is just around the corner. Do you celebrate? Do you hate it? This year much of what my wife is getting are things I 3d printed for her.
Just a reminder, if you are reading the Spark!, Spice it up. We like it spicy here!
Today in History:
The Bandai Pippin: A Forgotten Piece of Tech History
On February 9, 1996, a unique piece of technology was introduced to the world - the Bandai Pippin. This device, a product of the collaboration between Bandai, a Japanese toy and video game company, and Apple Computer, was an ambitious attempt to break into the home video game console market.
The Bandai Pippin was not just a gaming console; it was marketed as a “multimedia device”. It was designed to leverage Apple’s Macintosh platform, specifically the Mac OS, to deliver a range of multimedia experiences. The idea was to create a device that could play games, surf the web, and even play CDs, all in one compact unit.
However, despite its innovative concept and the backing of two industry giants, the Bandai Pippin failed to make a significant impact. It was met with a lukewarm response from consumers and critics alike. The device’s high price point, lack of compelling games, and competition from more established players in the console market like Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s N64, led to its downfall.
The Bandai Pippin’s place in tech history was further cemented when it was ranked 22nd on PC World’s list of the “25 Worst Tech Products of All Time”. Despite its failure, the Bandai Pippin serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges inherent in introducing new technology products.
Read More
The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time | PCWorld
Also of interest on February 9th
· 1913 – A group of meteors is visible across much of the eastern seaboard of the Americas , leading astronomers to conclude the source had been a small, short-lived natural satellite of the Earth.
· 1961 – The Beatles at The Cavern Club : Lunchtime – The Beatles perform under this name at The Cavern Club for the first time following their return to Liverpool from Hamburg .
· 1964 – The Beatles make their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show , performing before a record-setting audience of 73 million viewers across the United States.
· 1971 – Apollo program : Apollo 14 returns to Earth after the third human Moon landing.
· 1975 – The Soyuz 17 Soviet spacecraft returns to Earth.
· 1986 – Halley’s Comet last appeared in the inner Solar System .
· 1996 – Copernicium is discovered by Sigurd Hofmann , Victor Ninov et al.
· 2018 – Winter Olympics : Opening ceremony is performed in Pyeongchang County in South Korea .
Births on This Day
· 1942 – Carole King , American singer-songwriter and pianist
· 1943 – Joe Pesci , American actor
· 1945 – Mia Farrow , American actress, activist, and former fashion model
· 1963 – Travis Tritt , American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor
· 1981 – Tom Hiddleston , English actor, producer, and musical performer
· 1984 – Shōhōzan Yūya , Japanese sumo wrestler
· 1987 – Michael B. Jordan , American actor
Deaths on This Day
· 1969 – George “Gabby” Hayes , American actor and singer (b. 1885)
· 1981 – Bill Haley , American singer-songwriter and guitarist (b. 1925)
· 2005 – Robert Kearns , American engineer, invented the windscreen wiper (b. 1927)
· 2006 – Freddie Laker , English pilot and businessman, founded Laker Airways (b. 1922)
· 2010 – Walter Frederick Morrison , American businessman, invented the Frisbee (b. 1920)
Holidays Today
February 9th (nationaltoday.com)
The Funnies:
AI Contribution of the Day:
Bing Image Generator.
Quote of the Day:
Comic of the Day:
Crimes Against Hugh’s Manatees (tumblr.com)
Inspirobot Always Controversial, Occasionally Inspirational Quote of the Day:
In case you missed yesterday’s snow covered Spark! By @jimender2 you can catch it here .
What I am listening to today: https://youtu.be/lkLd27O95Dk?si=3IjTKd8sWz7rj1Ot
