8 very unusual facts about Apple

Fact №1: an engineer from Apple recreated prehistoric computer from Lego

In his own garage software engineer Andrew Carol from Apple picked out of Lego Antikythera mechanism. This mechanism, according to scientists, was created by the ancient Greeks around 150 BC He was recovered in 1901 from the wreck of a Roman ship. Antikythera Mechanism was so spoiled by the water that no one could understand its purpose. It was some time before scientists are using the latest research mechanisms, still found that this mechanism is not nothing but a the world's first computer, which was used to monitor the heavenly bodies and predict lunar and solar eclipse.

The original Antikythera mechanism is in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens (Greece). Assembly rekonstrukta mechanism Carol took 30 days and 1,500 Lego Technic designer elements. The build process was filmed on video operator John Pavlusha which was sent popular science magazine Scientific American, as the work of Andrew Carroll was very interesting for the scientific world.

Fact number 2: the new Apple employees working on the fake web projects until companies deserve trust

Apple's highly Seriously about his work, as well as to the safety of personal data of the company. Writer Adam Lachine told in his book about how work is being done at Apple. New employees are given the work of the non-existent projects. So if somewhere is leaking on "new developments" information, the Apple already know who spilled the beans. Naturally, such an employee is fired immediately.

The process of checking employee delayed indefinitely. Only at the interview it may cause a period of 9 months, and then another, and put to work on a fake. But not only for beginners falls such a fate. Sometimes senior engineers subjected to verification, slipping nonexistent projects. Simply put, Apple does not trust people.

You can get married and already have a baby before you finally hired. In general, you can put your ego at the door, if you want to get a job in the company, because the ego Apple is a million times more than you.

Fact number 3: Bill Gates helped to save Apple from bankruptcy

In 1997, Gates and Microsoft invested 150 million. dollars to Apple. It has also been developed version of Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer and other software for Macintosh. Gates and Jobs said so via satellite at the Macworld trade show in Boston (Massachusetts). This episode was later reproduced in the movie "Pirates of Silicon Valley."

Over 8 Mill. Mac users use Microsoft Office on their computers. Gesture, undertaken by the Microsoft, Apple has allowed to gain popularity, and the company Gates - to make money. In addition, the gesture defended Microsoft against the Antimonopoly Committee of attacks.

It would seem, Microsoft gave Apple a huge amount. In fact, in the same year, Microsoft invested 450 million. dollars in the WebTV. The companies have agreed to work on the same programming languages, their products well together and were more convenient for users.

Apple has used investments for the development of key sectors such as education and the creation of creative content, because it is at the expense of their development planning in the future to get the most profit.

Fact number 4: the old laptops from the Apple logo upside down. This is not a mistake, and thoughtful move

This item will be especially interesting for those who like to think about usability in technology. On older laptops from the Apple logo was turning upside down when opening the notebook. As a perfectionist, Steve Jobs, could this happen?

The answer is simple - it was made for computer owners. On current laptops logo looks fine when the computer is open, but "turn away" from the user when the lid is closed. According to research, when the logo is positioned so as users try to open the laptop from the wrong side.

Apple had to make a decision, choosing between comfort and design. And Steve Jobs decided that the convenience of the user initially.

But later, after much thought, the Apple realized that the user experience will be temporary. Maximum couple of times he tries to open the laptop from the wrong side, then get used to doing it right. While inverted logo on the lid is open - a much more long-playing problem. It got to the point where operators and photographers who needed to remove equipment, pasted on it nakleechki with the correct location of the logo.

Fact number 5: Apple I computer sold the original assembly for $ 666.66

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple and creator of a personal computer installed on it rather strange price.

Wozniak Apple I collected myself, by hand and without assistance. In 1975 the company sold 200 of these computers are priced at $ 666.66. This is the price shocked many, as the combination of three sixes from ancient times was considered the number of the devil.

However, Wozniak had nothing to do with the dark forces, he had no idea that this number is something there is. This figure, he explained that just likes repeating digits. In 1977, Apple lowered the price of Apple I up to $ 475. Today, the original Apple I can buy for about $ 15,000, although at an auction in 1999, a copy was sold for $ 50,000.

Fact number 6: in the 90s, Apple released its own video game console

Prefix Pippin was released in 1995, it was carried out in collaboration with the company for the production of Bandai toys and cost $ 600. It could compete with Sega Saturn, Sony Playstation and Nintendo 64, except for one sad fact - it failed miserably. When she came out, the only manufacturer of CD-ROM drive with toys for her was the company Bandai. If we add to this the fact of a crazy price tag of $ 600, it becomes quite surprising why a whole managed to sell only 42,000 of these consoles. If somehow it was you, you can play Marathon - a game that became a precursor to Halo.

Fact number 7: Currently Apple has more money than the United States government!

According to the latest financial statements from the US Treasury, the United States has a $ 73.8 billion to its credit cash. While at Apple - $ 76.2 billion. This proves how wildly popular Apple has earned during the last decade, releasing products such as the iPod and iPhone.

Fact number 8: Apple predicted his own future!

In 1987, Apple released the video, which shows a personal digital assistant. You can speak freely with him, to ask questions about the weather, ask for a list of cases, to make an appointment, make a call... In this case, it reacts to your every request is very reasonable. Nothing like? But then none of Siri could not even think. By the way, in the video the action takes place September 16, 2011, and Siri has been presented October 14, 2011. Those. Apple predicted his future with an accuracy of just one month!

(via)