Creating a Computer

Source: Gartner Group, "Evolution of a Computer," video (1983).
Location: M1007, Apple Computer Inc. Papers, Series X, Box Y, Folder Z.

About this Feature

This feature (the second in the "Evolution of a Computer" series) mixes clips of software wizards Bill Atkinson and Andy Hertzfeld, technical documentation manager Chris Espinosa, and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. It also has footage of other members of the Macintosh development group, including Burrell Smith.

Transcript

(Lisa users)

Voice-over: Before investing dollars, successful companies like Apple first invest in people. And in the case of its new Macintosh, the company invested in the genius of a small group of one hundred, each instilled with a common goal.

(Bill Aktinson)

Bill Atkinson: What we tried to do was make a useful machine that people could use without becoming computer jocks. We want it be a useful tool just by itself-- forget about it being a computer, it's just something that does a job for you.

(The famous pirate flag)

Voice-over: So, charged with the goal of pushing technology years ahead, the design team chased its dreams, encouraged by the company's founder.

(Chris Espinosa)

Chris Espinosa: What Steve Jobs did was bring us all together in a place that had no rules, and allowed us to think as big and as outrageous thoughts as we ever could think. And then brought in the right people to make them real.

Voice-over: Making that dream come true took three long years; it meant giving a bright young design team freedom from a rigid corporate structure.

(Steve Jobs)

Steve Jobs: Most places in life are continuously telling you that your dreams, aren't possible aren't practical. You don't want to hear that when you're under thirty! What you want to do is race after them.

Voice-over: And race after them they did. It meant extreme dedication, and it meant cooperation.

(Andy Hertzfeld)

Andy Hertzfeld: We knew we were making millions of these machines, and so we had to work on making it the best possible we knew how. So [there were] just lots of late evenings, and long nights, and endless revisions. You couldn't get attached to a particular way of doing something. If someone else suggested a better way, even though it was all done, you'd have to do it over.

(Macintosh testing)

Voice-over: Now that Macintosh is realized, the next step is to put it into the hands of the people, and wait to see what new things will be discovered.

Steve Jobs: Millions of people are going to use this tool for things we never even dreamed of; and that's really exciting. I mean, we're going to walk into a classroom, or an office, or a home five years from now, and somebody's going to be using a Macintosh for something we never dreamed possible.


Document created on 6 June 2000;