“These are the sounds of America – our wide-ranging history and culture,” remarked Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in a conversation with The Washington Post. “The National Recording Registry is our evolving nation’s playlist.” Each year, the Library of Congress diligently archives significant works across various fields, ensuring their preservation for future generations. This year’s newly announced entries include a rich tapestry of music that reflects the diverse genres and cultural narratives of the nation.
As Hayden noted, “The Library of Congress is proud and honored to select these audio treasures worthy of preservation, including iconic music across a variety of genres, field recordings, sports history, and even the sounds of our daily lives with technology.”
In a different realm of sound, the tech giant Microsoft, during its heyday, was not short on financial resources. Dominating the computer market, they had effectively marginalized competitors like Apple with their affordable DOS operating system, which powered nearly all IBM-compatible PCs globally. When it came time to revamp their image with Windows 95, they were ready to invest significantly to ensure a successful launch.
One of the most memorable aspects of this launch was the choice of The Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” for the advertising campaign, a decision that felt almost instinctual given the new operating system’s features, including the iconic ‘Start’ menu. The cost for this musical partnership? A mere million.
In addition to the Stones, Microsoft sought to create a unique auditory experience for new users, something that would signify the power of their upgraded PCs. Enter Brian Eno, the visionary composer known for his innovative soundscapes. Commissioned to provide Windows 95 with a distinct ‘voice’ and personality, Eno faced a unique challenge: the piece had to be less than three and a quarter seconds long.
Or when Mario eats a mushroom?
Embracing the challenge, Eno reflected on his creative process during this period. “The idea came up at the time when I was completely bereft of ideas,” he shared with SFGate. “I’d been working on my own music for a while and was quite lost, actually. And I really appreciated someone coming along and saying, ‘Here’s a specific problem – solve it.’”
Eno was given a list of adjectives to guide his composition: inspiring, universal, optimistic, and emotional, among others. Yet, the constraint of a mere three and a quarter seconds proved to be a fascinating limitation. “I made 84 pieces,” he recounted. “I got completely into this world of tiny, tiny little pieces of music. I was so sensitive to microseconds at the end of this that it really broke a logjam in my own work.”
Ultimately, Eno’s final composition exceeded the brief, clocking in at six seconds. However, its brilliance led Microsoft to overlook the extra time, allowing them to benefit from an additional two and three-quarter seconds of creativity. At a rate of ,833 per second, Eno’s work for Windows 95 stands as a testament to the power of innovation and the unexpected paths that creativity can take.
