If you were between six and ten years old during the years 1971 through 1985, then there is a good chance you learned to read with help from The The Electric Company.

Comedy sketches, music, animation and special effects were the tools of this "video" classroom. Bill Cosby, Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, Spider-Man Road Runner and others were the teachers.

The show was so terrific that it attracted major talent to do cameos and voice-over work. Joan Rivers, Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel were the voices of “The Adventures Of Letterman.” Mel Brooks was the voice of the animated Blond-Haired Cartoon Man. The satirist Tom Lehrer wrote ten songs for the shows.

The Electric Company was a product of its time — perennially cool and hip, while never wavering from its educational goals; it was full of wit and energy and made learning to read fun.

So, take a trip back in time with Spider-Man, Letterman, J. Arthur Crank, the Short Circus, Jennifer of the Jungle, DJ Mel Mounds, Easy Reader, Paul the Gorilla, Lorelei the Chicken and all the rest with The Electric Company on DVD.