That Time When Computer Magazines Had Cover Girls

There was a very specific era in tech history when nobody really knew how to sell computers. Like, should we talk about memory capacity? Processing speed? Modems? Nah. Let's just throw a bikini model on the cover and call it a day. Judging by these Yugoslavian computer magazine covers, the marketing strategy was basically: "Computers are confusing, but women are pretty, so… profit?"

You get gems like a woman in sequins staring at a floppy disk like it's the Holy Grail, or someone holding a beige keyboard with the same energy you'd hold a newborn kitten. The directions must have been wild: "Look shocked but also seductive. Pretend this mouse is a rare jewel. Maybe lean on that monitor like it's a sports car."

It's ridiculous, a little cringey (ok VERY cringy), but also kind of charming. Because underneath all the awkward glamour shots is the truth: back then, computers weren't sexy, and people didn't know how to make them seem cool. So they improvised, and in doing so, gave us the most unintentionally hilarious time capsule of tech culture.