Elwood Edwards, voice of AOL's 'You've Got Mail' greeting, passes away at age 74

Though most Americans would probably not recognize his face, millions of them know the voice of the unsung technology industry hero who died last week at the age of 74.

Elwood Edwards, the man who gained fame for his recording of the inimitable AOL email phrase, “You've Got Mail” has passed away, as CNN Business reports.

Iconic greeting heard on computers everywhere

Edwards made a living as a graphics and camera operator at a local television affiliate station in Cleveland, Ohio, but it was the brief bit of work he did elsewhere through which he became internationally known.

More than three decades have passed since Edwards made a recording of the ubiquitous email notification phrase for the company that was then known as America Online.

Edwards became the voice of the widely used messaging service thanks to the efforts of his wife, Karen, who was an employee of Quantum Computer Services, the forerunner to AOL.

When Karen overheard the then-CEO of AOL declare that a voice could be added to its new software, she offered up the services of her husband, who went on to record a series of key phrases on a cassette deck in the comfort of his home.

His rendering of “Welcome,” “You've Got Mail,” “Files done,” and “Goodbye,” went on to become some of the most frequently heard phrases in the world, thanks to the widespread adoption of the AOL experience.

Paltry pay, but lasting legacy endures

As AOL noted Edwards was paid just $200 dollars for his contribution to the company, but his words and the sound of his voice became part of everyday life for millions.

“Elwood Edwards didn't just lend his voice to AOL; he brought a sense of warmth, connection, and possibility to millions,” said AOL's Brendan Jennings.

He added, “His iconic, “You've Got Mail' became more than a greeting – it became a symbol of the online era. We are deeply grateful for the legacy and joy he brought to AOL and all those whose internet journey began with his voice.”

Edwards also enjoyed a long and successful career in television production, retiring from that role in 2014.

In a 2019 podcast interview with Silent Giants with Corey Cambridge, Edwards took a humble look back on his role in the early days of AOL, saying, “I had no idea it would become what it did, I don't think anybody did. Suddenly, AOL took off...I remember standing in line at CompUSA and seeing (stacks of AOL CDs) and thinking, 'my voice is on every one of those, and nobody has a clue,” but by now, few who were around in those days will ever forget.