The iconic voice of AOL has passed away. Best known for recording the iconic America Online lines "You've Got Mail!" and "Welcome," Elwood Edwards passed away at the age of 74.
Elwood Edwards passed away one day before his 75th birthday, according to his former employer, Cleveland's WKYC Studios. America Online got its start way back in 1985, though it wouldn't come to be called that until 1989. CEO of AOL, Steve Case, came up with the idea of including a real voice in the software, and Karen Edwards, who was a customer service rep at the time, suggested her husband for the role. Elwood recorded his lines on a cassette tape in his living room, and was given a flat sum of $200, which is roughly $500 now, when converted for inflation.
Elwood Edwards passed away one day before his 75th birthday, according to his former employer, Cleveland's WKYC Studios. America Online got its start way back in 1985, though it wouldn't come to be called that until 1989. CEO of AOL, Steve Case, came up with the idea of including a real voice in the software, and Karen Edwards, who was a customer service rep at the time, suggested her husband for the role. Elwood recorded his lines on a cassette tape in his living room, and was given a flat sum of $200, which is roughly $500 now, when converted for inflation.
