Light of 1986

The symbol universally recognized as a representation of intelligence is the light bulb. It is as if the radiance from this bulb can illuminate the dark corners of our knowledge and understanding. I wanted to explore this visual interpretation of intelligence and apply it to the realm of technology. Technological advancements are widely admired and seen as evidence of progress in our society. These advancements are driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to discover and understand. What has struck me the most is that the devices we use today, including the one you are currently using to read these words, are built upon concepts, principles, and lines of code that were formulated decades ago. For instance, when you use an iPhone, you are benefiting from the concepts pioneered by individuals like Blaise Pascal and Alan Turing. To be more specific, even the lines of code running on your device trace back to 1969 when Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) was introduced. These technological advancements and foundational principles are now an integral part of our daily lives. The knowledge and dedication of those who paved the way for these advancements are literally in the palm of your hand. Take a moment to imagine the person who wrote those few lines of code back in 1969, which are still running on your device today.

This is the message I aim to convey with the Light of 1986.

The Light of 1986 consists of a 1986 Macintosh Plus 1Mb. This particular model is over 36 years old. On the bottom of its case, you can find the engraved signatures of the various engineers who contributed to its creation, including Steve Jobs. It is akin to an architect leaving their mark on a building, a way to commemorate their name and achievement in human history. Instead of a traditional light bulb, the Macintosh itself represents the bulb, symbolizing the essence of light. This light symbolizes the intelligence of the human species.