My grandfather invented the home computer.

Or so the photo suggests, according to a 1954 article in Popular Mechanics. Hey, I’m a proud grandson! 

Trouble is, there was never any such article. So where did this picture of Edward G. Wellmeier and his amazing home computer come from, and more to the point: why am I writing about this, aside from the fact that it makes for a good story? 

With all of the recent blogging and discussion about who owns content – i.e. the original writer/creator or the company for whom it was created – sponsored content, promoted content or native advertising versus editorial content and, certainly not least important, the plain old nasty stealing of content, it’s enough to make your head spin. Mine anyway. So I thought I would wade in and write something to try to sort it out for myself, if not for you. And using this story about my grandfather serves my purpose.

But first, and this is directed at my marketing and PR brethren: most of the end-users of all this content that we create, purchase, share or otherwise use to market products or services don’t really care about these issues, nor should they. They are thankfully spared the endless clarifications and arguments back and forth on social media or at US Federal Trade Commission hearings, the jargon and the solipsistic meanderings. I’m confident most consumers can use their own good judgment on whether content – however it’s labeled – has any value for them in making a buying decision.

I’ll come back to this later in the post, and welcome your comments. Now, what about that home computer as envisioned in 1954, and my grandfather’s role?