This week I unveil another five of the Most Significant Events in the Office Imaging Industry of the Past 25 Years. Something that has always amazed me is the memory that so many in this industry have of the model numbers of the copiers and MFPs they’ve sold or reported on over the years. When compiling suggestions for this list I spoke with Brian Bissett, editor of The MFP Report, who could rattle off model numbers like nobody’s business. As could other long-time industry folk.
My mind doesn’t work that way and even though I will occasionally have one of those ‘aha moments’ when some of those models when brought up by others in conversation. One older model that I fondly recall without any prompting is the Canon CJ10 color copier. But that’s because I was working for Canon’s PR agency at the time and wrote the press release and was involved with the press briefings that accompanied the CJ10’s launch. Those were the days. I’m glad I’m not doing PR anymore.
Doing what I do now I envy those with those who can instantly recall those ancient model numbers. Admittedly, my recall abilities are more in tune with other things like hearing a song on the radio and remembering exactly what I was doing when I first heard that song or a specific episode in my life related to that song. I also seem to have memorized the dialog to virtually every one of the classic 39 Honeymooners episodes as well. I’ve been watching the recently released Blu-ray edition of the show and it’s kind of scary how much I remember, especially when I start thinking about how many times I’ve watched some of those episodes going back to when I was like eight or nine years old.
One of these days, one of these days, maybe I’ll be able to rattle off model numbers of old MFP models too. Or at least remember what song was playing on the radio when that model first hit the streets. In the meantime, at least I know who to call to get those numbers.
Thanks for reading.
