A 1987 New York Times article:
Apple Computer Inc. will introduce an unusual database and management information program Tuesday that the company hopes will help it maintain its lead in technology for making computers easy to use.
The new software, known as Hypercard, will enable users of Apple’s Macintosh computers to organize information on computerized file cards that can be linked to other file cards in intricate ways.
Also introduced by Apple was the new-fangled device called the “modem.”
Well, no. The story points out that Apple introduced a modem, not the modem. Modems were available to the public in the 1970s. Hayes was the popular brand.
Thanks for the clarification, Mike! I had no idea that modems were that old (going back to the 20s!).