The futuristic graphics used on the show were created by a top-of-the-line computer of 1987, a Commodore Amiga.
After the show was initially canceled in the second season (after drawing minimal ratings after being moved to Friday nights, against Dallas (1978) and Miami Vice (1984)), Max Headroom made a final announcement, paraphrasing (and imitating) Winston Churchill: "We will fight them on the streets of Dallas... We will fight them on the streets of Miami... Vice... and if the ratings book lasts for a thousand years, they will say this is Max Headroom's finest hour."
According to the first episode, the name "Max Headroom" came about when Edison Carter was fleeing from security guards on a motorcycle, and he ran into a parking garage exit gate labeled MAX HEADROOM. While he was in a coma his memory was downloaded into a computer by Bryce Lynch and the computer-generated personality chose this to be its new name.
Exactly when the story is meant to be set is an open question. However in _Max Headroom (1985) (TV), it is stated that Bryce is 18 years old and his records indicate that he was born on October 7, 1988, meaning the story takes place in 2005/2006.
The image of Max was not computer generated but Matt in a complicated makeup prosthesis then superimposed using blue screen technology. The ticks were created by repeating a singe frame a few times occasionally.