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Remembering Elwood Edwards: The Voice Behind “You’ve Got Mail”
If you find yourself in your mid-30s or older, chances are you recognize the iconic voice of Elwood Edwards, whether you realize it or not. In 1989, he recorded the famous phrase “You’ve got mail!” along with three other lines for Quantum Computer Services, a company that would later become known as America Online (AOL). This moment marked a significant chapter in early internet history. Sadly, Edwards passed away on Tuesday.
WKYC was among the first to report his death (via Variety). He passed away just one day shy of what would have been his 75th birthday. Throughout his career at a Cleveland television station, he held various roles including graphic designer and camera operator.
The Birth of an Iconic Phrase
The story behind this memorable catchphrase began when Karen Edwards, Elwood’s wife and an employee at Quantum at the time, overheard discussions about needing a distinctive voice for their new software. “So she volunteered my voice,” Elwood recounted in a 2012 video. “I recorded those phrases on a cassette deck right in my living room.” Remarkably, he received only $200 for this groundbreaking work.
A Cultural Phenomenon
The soothing and inviting tone of Edwards’ voice turned “You’ve got mail!” into more than just an alert; it became part of pop culture during AOL’s peak popularity in the late ’90s and early 2000s. This phrase even inspired the title of Nora Ephron’s beloved romantic comedy released in 1998.
Additional Contributions to AOL’s Legacy
A Lasting Impact
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