CES is “the world’s gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies,” says the world’s largest consumer tech show’s website. But there’s something else all those innovators thrive on: electricity.
Earlier today, CES 2018 experienced a blackout that lasted about two hours, leaving exhibitors and attendees literally in the dark. The cause of the power outage was not immediately known.
“We are working hard to restore this temporary power outage at the LVCC [Las Vegas Convention Center]. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience,” said the Consumer Technology Association, the group that organizes the show, in a statement to CNN.
Some companies still managed to do demos on their charged laptops and other devices, while others, such as Samsung, had limited backup power. But for most, the blackout meant a complete stop in showing off the latest and greatest in tech gadgets, and attendees were asked to evacuate. There’s nothing more tragic than rows upon rows of blackened 4K HD TV displays.
But the blackout wasn’t a complete disaster. Some companies and attendees had a sense of humor about the situation, and took to Twitter using the hashtag #CESBlackout to compete for funniest blackout tweet. And still others were incredulous about how the biggest tech show in the world could lose electricity in the first place.
Here are a few of our favorites:
"We see everything" @NSAGov
"We know everything" @Wikipedia
"We find everything" @Google
"We sell everything" @amazon
"We know everyone" @facebook
"We free everyone" @bitcoin"Without me ALL of you are nothing" @internet
"HODL MY BEER" @electricity #cesblackout
— Paul Schmitzer ن (@LiteBitCo) January 10, 2018
Someone told Alexa to turn off the lights #CES18 #CESblackout
— Noah Klein (@Mrnono2) January 10, 2018
Introducing Blackout™: The biggest thing to hit #CES2018 since #5G. #CESblackout pic.twitter.com/xObxxxHvQe
— Intel (@intel) January 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/TexasJeffW/status/951192317066653696
Hottest gadget at #CES2018 right now! #CESBLACKOUT pic.twitter.com/74JD77D59C
— ISPNtweets (@ISPNtweets) January 10, 2018
They found the issue #CESblackout pic.twitter.com/Y9eA6rLygV
— Terry Luciani (@tluciani) January 10, 2018
Our booth looks a little bit different this year… #CESblackout #CES2018 pic.twitter.com/W7Wtjy3Pqy
— Texas Instruments (@TXInstruments) January 10, 2018
CES right now #CESBLACKOUT #CNETatCES #CES pic.twitter.com/TCmlBUY1EQ
— Drew Stearne (@drewstearne) January 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/RobinBrenizer/status/951221159495954432
A few people wondered about the fates of the poor souls who left their smartphones charging at a locked charging kiosk…
https://twitter.com/AngeliqueTucker/status/951195627962081280
People who were charging their phones outside Central Hall don't have a way of getting them back. The screens are out, and there's no way to input the passcode #CESblackout #CES2018 pic.twitter.com/5txrTfoQWR
— Roadshow (@roadshow) January 10, 2018
The real irony is that their phones are locked in a charging tower BUT AREN’T CHARGING. If you want to see people freaking out, lock their phone, slowly dying, a few inches away from them with no way of getting it back. #CESBLACKOUT #ces
— Drew Stearne (@drewstearne) January 10, 2018
And the more socially conscious pointed out the hypocrisy of being bent out of shape over a brief blackout at CES when an entire territory of the United States has been without power for months…
This #CESblackout is (briefly) inconveniencing tech journalists and gadget connoisseurs who are letting everyone know about it. So, it's probably worth a reminder that 1.5 million US citizens in Puerto Rico remain without power nearly 4 months after Hurricane Maria.
— Daniel Medina (@dmedin11) January 10, 2018
Who gives a damn about #CESblackout.
50% of Puerto Rico has no power after 4 months.
50% of Puerto Rico has no power after 4 months.
50% of Puerto Rico has no power after 4 months.
50% of Puerto Rico has no power after 4 months.
50% of Puerto Rico has no power after 4 months.— Steve Feldman (@sfeldman89) January 10, 2018
This is America:
Outrage as tech toy convention in Las Vegas loses power.
Puerto Rico- half of population still without power after four months, and no one cares.#CESblackout pic.twitter.com/hAqxEjX7YX
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) January 10, 2018
