[ wp ] Myths tell us where things come from ( ex . echoes are from Echo , a person cursed to repeat what others said ) . Write a mythological origin story for a common modern object .

At the dawning of the silicon age, the Gods looked down upon mankind, toiling over abacuses and printing presses, and took pity on the mortals. Each gifted them an invention to make their lives easier. 
 
 Odin gathered his runic mastery and sent to humanity the Computer, a device of silicon and metals that rendered the abacus obsolete. Mankind rejoiced at this new thinking machine, and praised Odin for his gift of the computer. 
 
 Skadi, goddess of winter, looked upon mankind keeping their food in impractical ice-boxes and cellars, and she was moved by their suffering. She gifted unto mankind the refrigerator, and mankind rejoiced, for their food would last longer and the beer would remain as frosty cold as the gods intended. 
 
 Thor looked upon mankind and found them suffering. To enjoy music, they had to either wait for a concert, or use gramophones, devices that used horns of brass for amplification. Thor gifted unto mankind the stereo, and entrusted it to humans with this commandment: `` Thou shalt play it heavy, and thou shalt play it loud.'' And so it was. 
 
 And mankind looked upon these gifts and praised the gods, for their lives were easier, their food lasted longer, and their days were filled with rock. However, Loki, the trickster, was envious of the praise of mankind. He hated the praise that was heaped upon the other gods and hatched a plan. 
 
 Loki then spoke to humanity `` As with my brothers and sisters, I have seen the suffering of mankind and wish to aid you. I have constructed a small, household device as my gift.'' 
 
 Mankind took the device into their homes, and soon there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth. 
 
 `` Gods! What horrible fate have you wrought upon us with your latest gift? It's loud, breaks down without rhyme or reason and beggars us to refill it when it's empty!'' 
 
 Upon hearing this, Odin's brow grew red with wrath. He summoned Loki to his hall, and his shouting could be heard all throughout Asgard. 
 
 `` Loki! What have you done this time? The humans wail and tear at their clothes! They lament their cruel fate! All because of your and your infernal contraptions! Explain yourself! What manner of devilry have you inflicted upon Midgard this time?'' 
 
 Loki grinned at the Allfather. 
 
 `` I gave them the printer.''
