For some reason the other day I recalled Steve Job's speech in 1984 at the introduction of the original Macintosh. Here's part of his speech, it's pretty cool:
Quote:
It is 1958. IBM passes up a chance to buy a young fledgling company that has invented a new technology called xerography. Two years later, Xerox is born, and IBM has been kicking themselves ever since.
It is ten years later, the late sixties. Digital Equipment DEC and others invent the mini-computer. IBM dismisses the mini-computer as too small to do serious computing, and therefore unimportant to their business. DEC grows to be a multi-hundred million dollar corporation before IBM enters the mini-computer market.
It is now ten years later, the late seventies. In 1977, Apple, a young fledgling company, on the West Coast, invents the Apple II, the first personal computer as we know it today. IBM dismisses the personal computer as too small to do serious computing, and unimportant to their business.
The early 80s. 1981 - Apple II has become the world's most popular computer, and Apple has grown to a 300 million dollar company, becoming the fastest growing corporation in American business history. With over fifty competitors vying for a share, IBM enters the personal computer market in November of 1981, with the IBM PC.
1983. Apple and IBM emerge as the industry's strongest competitors, each selling approximately one billion dollars worth of personal computers in 1983.
Each will invest more than 50 million dollar for R&D and another 50 million dollars for television advertising in 1984. Totaling almost a quarter of a billion dollars combined. The shakeout is in full swing. The first major firm goes bankrupt, with others teetering on the brink. Total industry losses for 83 overshadow even the combined profits of Apple and IBM for personal computers.
It is now 1984. It appears IBM wants it all. Apple is perceived to be the only hope to offer IBM a run for its money. Dealers, initially welcoming IBM with open arms, now fear an IBM dominated and controlled future. They are increasingly and desperately turning back to Apple as the only force that can ensure their future freedom.
IBM wants it all, and is aiming its guns on its last obstacle to industry control, Apple. Will Big Blue dominate the entire computer industry? The entire information age? Was George Orwell right about 1984?
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Of course you can also watch the
video. I love the song in the beginning, "We love Apple. What a feeling."
And there's a better-quality
1984 commercial too. And if you have, there's a
"making of" video. I mean, the "Get a Mac" ads are funny and clever, but this is just in a different league.
And people wonder why we love this company and their products so much...