Ina Fried

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AT&T Unearths Jim Henson Robot Video From 1963

While it remains to be seen whether AT&T’s earnings will put a smile on investor’s faces, there is no question that this video will.

It’s a recently discovered little number that Jim Henson did for Ma Bell, back in 1963.

In classic Henson form, it highlights the battle between man and machine, revealing each to be quite dependent on the other. And, of course, it is endearing and adorable.

The company posted it to its Web site and to YouTube this week.

According to AT&T, Henson made the video for a seminar being given to business owners on what was then a groundbreaking topic — data communications.

Thanks to my old CNET colleague Ed Moyer, whose post alerted me to the video. It almost makes up for missing Grover at CES.

As for AT&T’s earnings, they should be coming up in just a bit.

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Another gadget you don’t really need. Will not work once you get it home. New model out in 4 weeks. Battery life is too short to be of any use.

— From the fact sheet for a fake product entitled Useless Plasticbox 1.2 (an actual empty plastic box) placed in L.A.-area Best Buy stores by an artist called Plastic Jesus