Product launches by Steve Jobs have become famous, and not only because of the products themselves. Over the years, Jobs has honed his on-stage persona so that the events take on an air that's something like the wizard stepping out from behind the curtain. Before he announced the iPod, the iPad and the Macbook Air, he introduced the Macintosh. If you think the reaction to Apple's later inventions is wild, be sure to watch this one. Remember that in January 1984, not many people had seen a mouse, or moving type, or anything beyond rudimentary graphics. No wonder the crowd went crazy.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0FtgZNOD44&w=420&h=345]

By the way, if you've never see the commercial that pre-launched the Mac -- directed by Ridley Scott, who two years earlier brought us Blade Runner -- your understanding of Apple's innate coolness isn't complete. Here it is.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8&w=420&h=345]

Photo: Low End Mac