Desktop computers - boxes inside boxes - began appearing in those cubicles in the mid-eighties, electrical cords curling on the floor like so many ropes.

In this quote, Jill Lepore vividly describes the emergence of desktop computers in office spaces during the mid-1980s. She refers to the machines as boxes inside boxes, highlighting their bulky and somewhat unwieldy design, which contrasted sharply with the sleek, portable devices we have today. The image of electrical cords curling on the floor adds to the sense of disorganization and physical clutter that often accompanied the early adoption of personal computers in workplaces.

Lepore’s choice of words like "cables curling" and "ropes" evokes a sense of the chaotic, almost primitive nature of early computer setups. At that time, desktop computers were still new and many users were adjusting to the complexities of using technology in daily work routines. The description of these computers in cubicles also hints at the beginning of the rise of the corporate office environment, where personal technology started becoming more integrated into professional spaces, changing the way work was done.

The origin of this quote reflects Lepore’s expertise as a historian and cultural critic, often examining the intersections of technology, history, and society. In her writing, she explores how technological advancements, like the introduction of computers into the workplace, have shaped both our daily lives and the broader social landscape. By focusing on the seemingly mundane details of office life—such as tangled cords and bulky machines—Lepore captures the awkward but transformative early days of personal computing.

Ultimately, Lepore’s quote underscores the significance of desktop computers in the evolution of both technology and the workplace. Her description of the cluttered, early adoption phase serves as a reminder of how far we've come in terms of both design and functionality in computing. It also paints a picture of the technological shift that began in the 1980s, one that would eventually lead to the more streamlined, mobile devices we use today.