Moment of Geek: The Real Computer Monster

August 28, 2007

Every couple of days we run across items so geeky we can't even begin to explain them. We politely refer to them as "Moments of Geek," as in a short fact, tidbit, video or picture that's not worthy of a whole feature story, but is worthy of a moment of your time.

Today's example comes to you courtesy of Muppet creator Jim Henson, who created the "computer monster" sketch in the early 1960s. The skit was allegedly developed for IBM and was such a hit that Henson redid it later. Word is the computer-eating-monster is a predecessor of the infamous Cookie Monster, who you might remember is more blue than green.

20 Comments

asmariamoon 5 years 37 weeks

hehe this is great. Actually, NYShuls, if you look at

asmariamoon 5 years 37 weeks

hehe this is great. Actually, NYShuls, if you look at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookie_Monster>the wikipedia entry for Cookie Monster</a>, under Origins, you'll find that his name was Wheel-Stealer, which is pretty close to your guess. (So named for the type of snacks he ate in a General Foods commercial) And yes, he did appear on the Ed Sullivan Show.

tdamji 5 years 37 weeks

so cute. thanks for this

tdamji 5 years 37 weeks

so cute. thanks for this

yumjimmy 5 years 38 weeks

I didn't know cookie monster had a cousin.

colormesticky 5 years 38 weeks

I want one. I wish he'd come eat my work computer!

POPSUGAR Food 5 years 38 weeks

so cute! love that he threw out the 37cent piece instead of eating it.

NYShuls718 5 years 38 weeks

This was on BoingBoing a few months ago and I had showed it to everyone I know. I love the Muppets and this was just so perfectly geeky. I believe the Muppet that sort of looks like Cookie Monster was originally named Steeler Wheeler was part of the Ed Sullivan Show. Anyway, this is great and I'm glad everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did!