In less than 30 years time, computers have grown from being something only a geek would own to being indispensable in everyday life.
In 1984, the first time the U.S. Census Bureau made a comprehensive count, 6.98 million American households owned a computer, that's 8.2 percent of the country's 87.1 million total households.
That year, the No. 1 use of home computers was to learn how to use computers.
A quarter-century later, in 2010, the latest Census numbers show that 91.7 million households have computer -- more than there were households in 1984 America. That represents more than three-quarters of all households.
And we aren't just learning to use computers -- and related devices -- anymore.
The digital world is where we live, work and play. It's where we message, post and tweet. Where we play games, watch movies and read books. Where we stay in touch.
Coming Sunday: #eWave: The Digital Revolution, start of a Journal series about the impact of digital technology on our lives. Join the discussion on the Journal's #eWave Facebook page.