Well, none of our readers have to imagine that scenario. They do it everyday. 

 

Back in 1981, however, the concept of online media seemed far-fetched. Regardless, two local San Fransisco papers, The Examiner and Chronicle, wanted to make it happen. 

 

Under their system, editors programmed content into an online database. Then, when readers called a phone number (linked to Columbus, Ohio), the news would appear on their televisions — with the exception of pictures, ads, and comics. The screen looked like this: