Beer to thank for consumer electronics explosion?

Beer has certainly found its place in worldwide culture, but claiming that it's the foundation for all of the consumer electronics that we enjoy today is probably stretching it. Nevertheless, the controversial (or just plain sarcastic) Charlie Bamforth proclaims that "beer is the basis of modern static civilization," touting his three decades at Anheuser-Busch as a knowledge base. Essentially, Charlie insinuates that beer spurned innovation in ages past by making the early brewers think outside of the box, which subsequently led to tents, then cities, and by extension, iPods, laptops, and USB-powered oddities. Granted, the man's linkages make entirely more sense when inebriated (or at least tipsy), so if you're looking to prove just how important alcohol is to your gadget collection, grab a few cans and hit the read link below.

[Via Inquirer]

[zmanforever @ Apr 18th 2007 10:18PM]

Some cultures have beliefs which make alcohol a sin, so I guess Draft beer was the reason why they advanced in technology.

[whatevas @ Apr 18th 2007 10:55PM]

No, those are the cultures that ended up stagnating and pathetic even after thousands of years in existence. Proves the point even more so.

Hail beer!

[mb @ Apr 19th 2007 12:42AM]

eh? do you think draft beer is non-alchoholic? It just means from a keg or cask.

[Pedant @ Apr 18th 2007 10:27PM]

Beer "spurred" innovation, surely?

[2Perfect @ Apr 18th 2007 11:18PM]

If you put it that way, then I guess fire spurned innovation in ages past by making the early humans think "hey, I should make life easier for myself", which subsequently led to tents, then cities, and by extension, iPods, laptops, and USB-powered oddities.

[werdna @ Apr 19th 2007 12:38AM]

LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME

[SwissFreek @ Apr 19th 2007 1:39AM]

Beer created consumer electronics just like Al Gore created the internet.

[eisdell @ Apr 19th 2007 1:52AM]

Wait, so what does having worked for Anheuser-Busch have to do with it? I thought we were talking about beer, not insipid-tasting tap water with a dash of alcohol and a teaspoon of piss. I wonder if real beer makers would allow their egos to soar with the likes of Al Gore's. No single person will ever be able to claim they invented or started technology, what drives it, or the internet. Unless that single entity is DARPA. Then I guess that claim could be made. But only if it's DARPA. Seriously, that's some nasty beer they make (not DARPA, the "lite" beer people).

[Gil @ Apr 19th 2007 6:11AM]

But DARPA can't claim that either. They only invented PART of what is now today the internet.

[Ate @ Apr 19th 2007 2:40AM]

You see... It goes, Wheel, Fire, then Beer. Wait, Fire, BEER, then wheel. My mistake. After that, everything is meaningless.

[Rieux @ Apr 19th 2007 3:57AM]

I would agree were he not working at a terible brewery. Someone commenting from their position as a master brewer at an age old Biritish brewery might stand a better chance, but I think his point is good. Though I would extend it from beer and suggest getting merry as the basis of all civilisations across the globe. I'm drunk now and you wouldn't believe what i've just invented. True it involves two dozen monkeys and a large amount of cling-film but my word you've never seen the likes of it before.

[ScooterDe @ Apr 19th 2007 7:24AM]

Beer might well have inspired a few purchases over the years, but probably not the most beneficial.

[SmpCtryPhys @ Apr 19th 2007 8:29AM]

DARPA is notorious for spin doctoring. They take other folks ideas and publicize them, then when someone else makes the technology practical and producible, they belatedly take credit for the product as well.

[benjamin @ Apr 19th 2007 9:00AM]

wow, & the only great ideas i have after a couple of beers, involve me getting slapped by a girl that was much uglier before the beer

[Ron Larson @ Apr 19th 2007 9:08AM]

Compare the countries of the world where alcohol is banned to where it is enjoyed.

Alcohol is the lubricant that makes society work. It allows people to go crazy without going insane. It gives them to liquid courage to do or say what must be done or said. It allows you to blow off steam, which frees your mind up to concentrate on more productive matters.

[ieatbunnies @ Apr 19th 2007 10:59AM]

Let us not forget the great adage,
Beer: The cause of and the solution to all of life's problems

[Jeff Foster @ Apr 19th 2007 11:27AM]

Somehow this fool is conflating "beer" with "agriculture"

[Chuwei @ Apr 19th 2007 1:25PM]

How many beers did our friend Charlie drink before he said that?

[cbparker03 @ Apr 19th 2007 1:58PM]

HAHA! I took a beer and brewing class from this guy at UC Davis! He is hillarious!

[2Perfect @ Apr 19th 2007 6:09PM]

This just in: Beer can save your life
http://two-perfect.blogspot.com/2007/04/beer-can-save-your-life.html

[Fozzie @ Apr 20th 2007 1:01PM]

i don't know about yous guys', but i'll buy anything after 6 or 7 beerses.