Attention

July 6th, 2007

I've missed the last few "Hey! Look at me!" fests. Let's catch up quickly by saying, I'm not People Ready. In fact, I'm never ready for people–they astonish me so–and no, I didn't buy an iPhone.

The uproar over the iPhone and its supposed revolutionary impact on the phone industry reminds me of another successful product launch, long ago. The company selling the earlier item ran a rather exciting and innovative marketing campaign, implicitly promising a life changing experience for those lucky, and adventurous, enough to put down the cold hard cash.

There was no Steve Jobs in black shirt, but the product was introduced to the world at the 1964 World's Fair, as well as all three major networks. When it hit the streets, the vendors were overrun. Literally overrun. Within 18 months, over a million had been sold.

Yet, I look around today and Mustangs are no more common than any other car. Maybe Ford should have stuck with black, after all.

Comments
1
Aruni - 9:53 pm 7/6/2007

I can't believe the amount of hype about the iPhone. We have not bought one either…although I think my husband would like to. I did happen upon an iPhone I would buy: a hand knitted one. http://babblesoft.wordpress.com/2007/07/06/the-cell-phone-as-a-baby-monitor/

2
Charles - 1:23 am 7/7/2007

It is probably worth noting that even today, the '65 Mustang is the just about most popular classic car of its era. Sure lots of people like the top end cars like the '65 Corvette, but you have to be rich to buy (or restore) one. Almost anyone could afford to fix up a Mustang, and there are plenty of them available. My first serious car was a beautifully restored '65 Mustang GT convertible.

And I bought an iPhone today.

3
don - 8:33 am 7/7/2007

Shelley - There was a period when I coveted a baby blue mustang convertible from the early years. That fever passed. I am obviously the wrong temperment or age for the new phone craze.

4
jr - 8:57 am 7/7/2007

Interesting use of the Mustang. I watched the cars morph in to the really bad 1970's thru 1990's rust buckets that only shared the name and none of the passion of the originals. I hope the same is not true for the iPhone. I could love the iPhone but I could not come to grips with 2 years with Cellular OneCingularAT&T

5
Shelley - 11:09 am 7/7/2007

Ah but Charles, becoming a classic is not the same as becoming ubiquitous.

Aruni, Don, jr, I think we're part of the many people who will be the wrong temperament for the iPhone. I'd like to be able to have Google maps at my fingertip, but not at the cost of six hundred dollars, and not having to drag ATT along with me. I can buy a whole new computer and a paper map for that price.

If I picked any car from '65, it would be a Corvair, painted in Evening Orchid.

6
Charles - 12:12 pm 7/7/2007

I think the Mustang is pretty ubiquitous, it was sold for decades so there are millions of used Mustangs out there. It fell out of favor and was even discontinued for some years, but came back as Ford's muscle car (a losing proposition in an era of high gas prices). Here's a great little video clip of a $50k Mustang Eleanor in action (caution some NSFW language)

Anyway, it is also worth noting a couple of other interesting facts.
1. The Mustang was originally conceived as a car for women.
2. The Mustang was a Lee Iacocca project. Iacocca was the Steve Jobs of his era.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to the discussion. Comments are now closed, but you can contact the author of the post directly.

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