Apple has certainly never been shy about using celebrities to pimp their products -- from the iconic “Think Different” print ads to U2 front man Bono joining forces for the original RED iPod. But did you know that the company commissioned artwork from a soon to be famous artist back in 1989?
Business Insider has unearthed an old Apple Computer booklet from the late ‘80s, drawn by none other than Matt Groening. If that name sounds familiar, it should: Groening is the creator of the longest-running animated television series, The Simpsons. At the time, Groening was just springboarding from Fox’s The Tracey Ullman Show, where his now-legendary Simpsons family were a featured short on that show.
Of course, like many artists, Groening had to pay bills with freelance work for the likes of -- you guessed it -- Apple Computer. According to the booklet that popped up on Reddit (via TheNextWeb), Groening penned an Apple student’s guide entitled “Who Needs a Computer Anyway?” back in 1989, when no one knew if his fledgling show The Simpsons would sink or swim.
“At Apple, Groening created this rather stunning piece, which is a guide for potential Mac users,” Business Insider reports. “His inimitable style is on full display, as is Apple's legendary marketing savvy -- a great combination.”
Here’s a look at the cover of the booklet, but the full contents have been scanned and posted online for all to enjoy, so click through and get your Groening on, circa 1989!
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
(Image courtesy of Business Insider and Reddit)
