The original Macintosh in his time could not boast record sales and wide popularity. Despite this, the computer has left a visible mark on history. So what makes it so special? It is not only in innovation and technology, which were used in its development. The most important thing - the emotions of people who put a part of himself into this project. I am sure that every fan of Apple technology, and not only should be aware of the spirit of the Macintosh, which was permanently transferred to the computer by its creators.
The first Macintosh was designed not numerous team that is extremely passionate and exciting worked under the guidance of Steve Jobs. His product vision, views and design values were reflected in the thousands of small details and lovingly handed users.
We were really excited to create something extraordinary, to make the leap to a new level. In just a few years before the first Mac, a jump made Apple II. But the computer, though has become more accessible to a wider range of people still did not cease to be very difficult to use. We felt that the Macintosh graphical user interface has a great potential. A new environment could improve the lives of millions of our customers.
The atmosphere in which you had to create a new computer was just indescribably. As head of our division, Steve Jobs made a bet immediately at $ 5000 with the head of department of Lisa that Macintosh beat the sales of their product despite the head start in two years. Because of this, barely begin to fully develop, our team was on an emotional lift. Steve knew how to motivate.
But the desire to create something as soon as possible did not prevent us to focus on the smallest details, not only in technical terms, but also in industrial design. We are not interested in money alone, a staggering sales were not the main goal. Much more important it was not to lose any one of the smallest detail. Steve has always supported our views, though sometimes overly critical and hard to communicate.
Jobs advised designers to try to play the role of a very sensitive artist. He was the initiator of visiting various art exhibitions and forums, to members of his unit were to be inspired and to translate into reality the most insane ideas. Jobs are often encouraged employees for good work, feeling their responsibility for the quality of our product.
Other units in Apple were bound routine, mandatory compliance with the regulations in the design, meet the requirements of the recommendations and instructions. Unlike all the others, Macintosh team played a more creative and flexible approach to work. This applies to all aspects of our work: both hardware and software.
You could get the impression that too much attention to detail, the criticism of management and tight deadlines made of our work hellish work. But, fortunately, most of the time in our team prevailed playful and open atmosphere. All the staff were about the same age, which affected positively when discussing personal interests and views on life in general. We enjoyed the work. When the work required serious approach and effort, our friendship only helps to cope with all the difficulties.
Hierarchy of our department is different. We had no superiors and subordinates. Only Steve Jobs stood out for its leadership and could veto any project, but sometimes relented when he realizes that he was wrong. It is much more likely to raise our morale than give orders. The most significant was a collective meeting in January 1983, when we realized that better to be a pirate than to serve the Navy.
I believe that the pursuit of perfection, careful approach to the development and attention to detail have not disappeared from the Macintosh computer, and still live in this computer for many years.
via Folklore.org