Fred Cooper is the man whose voice speaks to Macintosh users everywhere. Many years ago, the first Macintosh said “Hello. I am Macintosh” with Fred’s voice. On tidbits.com you can hear or read an interview with Fred, which was also used for Radiohead’s Fitter Happier.
Did you ever expect that your voice would become so popular? I’ve heard it in other things, such as Radiohead’s song Fitter Happier, and of course Stephen Hawking’s computerized voice.
Fred: The Radiohead thing was just a fluke. I spent maybe half an hour recording that, and at the time it made no sense. But when the song was mixed, it really came together. As for Dr. Hawking, I’m proud to have been the basis for his system. When I hear him speak, I don’t even hear myself any more, his ideas are so unique. But my wife likes to think that I’m the one talking about time and space occasionally.
(Thanks to At Ease.)
UPDATE: Not that it changes the content of the article terribly, because it’s obviously a bit of a joke, but if you notice the date of publication, it is, in fact, April 1st. Which is April Fools’ Day.
(Thanks to John.)