I think my dad did legal work for someone who had a Packard Bell 8088, and they couldn't pay him, so they gave him a computer. I was initially not allowed to touch it, but that didn't last long. I started tinkering with it, and there were many times I screwed up the computer.

The quote by Jeremy Stoppelman reflects his early exposure to technology and his natural curiosity about computers. He shares a story about how his dad did legal work for a client who couldn’t pay in cash, so instead, they offered a Packard Bell 8088 computer as compensation. Initially, Stoppelman wasn’t allowed to touch the computer, but his interest led him to start tinkering with it. The quote also humorously acknowledges that he often messed up the computer in the process, highlighting his trial-and-error learning experience.

Stoppelman’s story reveals his early passion for technology and how it developed over time. The Packard Bell 8088, a personal computer from the 1980s, was one of the early home computers, making it a significant piece of technology at the time. Stoppelman’s curiosity and willingness to experiment with this computer laid the foundation for his future career, eventually leading him to co-found Yelp, a major player in the tech world.

The origin of this quote lies in Stoppelman’s background and formative years, where his interest in computers and technology began to take shape. His early experiences with tinkering and problem-solving with technology helped cultivate the skills and innovative mindset that he would later apply in his professional life. This story serves as a reminder that many successful individuals in the tech industry had humble beginnings, often learning through trial and error.

Ultimately, Stoppelman’s quote illustrates how his hands-on experiences with computers, even through mistakes and challenges, played a significant role in shaping his future. It emphasizes the value of curiosity, experimentation, and the willingness to learn from failures—traits that would help him succeed in the fast-evolving world of technology and entrepreneurship.