On This Day, January 22, 1984, Apple Inc. aired its iconic “1984” commercial during Super Bowl XVIII. Directed by Ridley Scott, the advertisement introduced the Apple Macintosh computer to a wide audience, revolutionizing tech advertising with its creative approach and cinematic quality.
The commercial, inspired by George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984,” depicted a bleak, controlled future that was shattered by the arrival of the Macintosh, symbolizing the power of personal computing to challenge the status quo. The ad’s dramatic narrative, combined with its groundbreaking visuals, left a lasting impact on advertising and is often cited as one of the greatest television commercials of all time.