The National Records Registry announced this week that Microsoft Windows 95’s startup ringtones are saved in the Library of Congress. The track was produced by famous songwriter Brian Eno, who reportedly wrote the song on Macintosh.
In an interview BBC In 2009, Eno was frank about the iconic song, saying, “I wrote it on my Mac. I’ve never used a PC in my life; I don’t like them.” Loyalty is so much. He went on to describe how he put together 83 pieces of music to make the song. Microsoft gives “about 150 adjectives” to describe the required noise. He said: “The music should be inspiring, sexy, driving, provocative, nostalgic, sensual…”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mizha7zc6z0
Eno’s track is twice as long as Microsoft requires 3.8 seconds, but the company decided to use the whole thing because they think it’s a new era of personal computing “transmitting the feeling of welcome, hope, and progress they envisioned.”
It can be said that formally called “Microsoft Voice” was Eno’s biggest blow. Many people in the world have not heard of his other works many times. It is hard to describe the exact feeling evoked by the track, which is an incredible feeling, living in the abyss between time and space. At that time, computers felt like magic, with a lot of optimism about the future we entered. The sound almost shows a completely different feeling of a new world.
In addition to Windows 95 boot track, other 2025 contestants entering the Library of Congress also include soundtracks Minecraft and songs by artists including Elton John and Amy Winehouse.
“These are the voices of the United States – our extensive history and culture. The National Recording Registry is a playlist for our ever-evolving nation,” said Congress librarian Carla Hayden. “The Library of Congress takes pride and honor to choose these audio treasures worth keeping, including a variety of genres, live recordings, sports history, and even the sounds of our daily lives, including the iconic music of technology.”
