Christmas cards have long been a beloved tradition, evoking warm feelings of connection and holiday cheer. But what if the sender were not a person but a machine? This intriguing idea is brought to life in the poem The Computer’s First Christmas Card by the celebrated Scottish poet Edwin Morgan. Written in 1968, this work sits at the fascinating crossroads of early computing technology and literary creativity, capturing a moment when the digital age was still dawning but already beginning to inspire imaginative expression.
In this article, we explore the history behind the concept of the computer’s first Christmas card, Edwin Morgan’s role in pioneering computer-inspired poetry, and how this poem symbolizes a remarkable fusion of technology and tradition—one that still resonates today.
The Origins of Christmas Cards
Before delving into the computer’s first Christmas card, it’s important to understand the broader history of Christmas cards themselves. The world’s first commercially produced Christmas card dates back to 1843 in England. Sir Henry Cole commissioned artist John Callcott Horsley to design a card that would help handle his Christmas correspondence [source: V&A Museum].
The card featured a family scene surrounded by charitable acts and was printed in limited quantities, marking the beginning of a mass-market Christmas card tradition that would soon spread globally. Over time,
the Christmas card evolved from hand-painted works to printed mass-produced designs,
intertwining festive imagery with personal sentiments. This tradition has remained a key part of holiday culture ever since.
Enter: The Computer’s First Christmas Card by Edwin Morgan
Fast forward over a century to 1968—a time when computing technology was still in its infancy. Computers of the era were mostly bulky machines housed in university departments and research labs,
far from the home desktop or mobile devices we know today. It was during this early time in computing that Edwin Morgan wrote The Computer’s First Christmas Card.
Morgan’s poem imagines what a computer-generated Christmas greeting might look like, playfully reflecting the machine’s nascent abilities to “speak” in human language while making amusing errors. The poem’s lines mimic the robotic, calculated process of a computer trying to emulate English
, resulting in a quirky and endearing greeting that blurs the boundaries between human warmth and machine logic.
The Poem’s Style and Significance
The poem was written in a unique concrete poetry style, visually resembling a computer printout with carefully spaced letters and syllables. Morgan’s choice to format the poem this way highlights the mechanical nature of early computers and emphasizes
the intersection of art and technology. As some analysts note, the poem not only entertains but ponders profound questions about communication, language,
and the role of machines within human culture.
Morgan’s work was presented during the Cybernetic Serendipity exhibition in London in 1968, a significant event showcasing computer-generated art.
His poem stood alongside other early experiments that showcased possibilities for computers beyond mere calculation—
introducing the concept of computers as creative or expressive agents.
Why This Poem Matters Today
Many decades since Morgan’s original writing, The Computer’s First Christmas Card remains relevant for several reasons:
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Early Exploration of AI and Language: Although written well before artificial intelligence became mainstream, the poem anticipates themes of machine language, errors, and creativity, topics central to today’s discussions on AI and human-computer interaction.
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Bridging Tradition with Innovation: The idea of a Christmas card—a historically human gesture—being created by a machine invites reflection on how technology can transform cultural practices while still respecting emotional meaning.
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Artistic Inspiration: Morgan’s blending of poetry and technology encourages modern creators to experiment with digital media, algorithm-driven art, and hybrid forms of expression.
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Cultural Commentary: By highlighting how a computer “fails” to communicate perfectly, the poem reminds readers of human imperfection and the complexities of language and connection.
A Touch of Nostalgia Meets Technology
The poem captures a beautiful contrast: the nostalgic warmth of Christmas mingled with the cold logic of computing. This duality offers an insightful commentary on how technology can mediate and shape human experiences without fully replacing the emotional depth that characterizes traditional holiday greetings.
A High-Authority Source to Explore Further
For those interested in the history of Christmas cards, the Victoria and Albert Museum provides an excellent overview of the origin and evolution of this beloved tradition,
including Sir Henry Cole’s seminal card in 1843:
V&A Museum – The First Christmas Card
How the Computer’s First Christmas Card Inspires Today’s Digital Greetings
Looking at how the computer’s first Christmas card was envisioned in poem form offers insights into today’s reality, where digital greetings bought through websites and apps have become a norm. Yet,
the blend of creativity and personal touch that Morgan anticipated is still relevant. Today’s electronic cards, animated greetings,
and AI-generated messages carry echoes of this early vision.
Read More: The Computer’s First Christmas Card by Edwin Morgan: A Poetic Fusion of Technology and Tradition
Final Thoughts
Edwin Morgan’s The Computer’s First Christmas Card is more than just a quirky poem—it is a pioneering experiment that bridges literature, history, and technology.
It invites us to reflect on how machines participate in our cultural rituals and challenges us
to consider how technology and tradition can coexist and even enrich one another.
This unique fusion makes the poem a rich subject not only for poetry lovers and historians but also for digital creators interested in the origins and future of human-computer creative collaboration.
Every holiday season, the computer’s first Christmas card reminds us
that innovation can come wrapped in the most unexpected and charming packages.
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