NeXT Introduction

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The NeXT Introduction sub-titled "the Introduction to the NeXT Generation of Computers for Education"[1]" was a lavish, invitation-only gala launch event [2] for The NeXT Computer (also called the NeXT Computer System) was described as a multimedia extravaganza.[3] It was held at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, California on Wednesday October 12, 1988. The event ran from 9:30am till 12 noon.[1] Attendees were all given a unique launch event poster.

After Steve Jobs departed Apple three years prior to this event,[4] he sank from sight only emerging once in 1986 to unveil the NeXT logo[5] and once in early 1987 to announce that H. Ross Perot had invested $20 million in NeXT inc.[6] Otherwise, Steve Jobs shunned public appearances at computer-industry events to avoid having to comment publicly about his new company's activities.[3] But then he re-emerged with this Launch in what was described as having "the subtlety of a Hollywood première[3]" in what was his first major public appearance since leaving Apple. Jobs hired multimedia artist George Coates to stage the unveiling.[7]

At the time, it was considered that this event was the launch of not just a new computer but also a new Steve Jobs. With Jobs himself telling his audience "It's great to be back."[7]

More than 3000 invitations were sent out to educators, software developers & reporters[8] for the launch event but not a single Apple employee was invited.[3]

The company rented the Davies Symphony Hall, supposedly because of its good acoustics, to show off the DSPs that allowed the Cube to play full stereo sound.[6] The machine played a duet with one of the symphony’s violinists.[9]

Jobs opened the show with a purpose built animation built by NeXT UI Architect , demonstrating the history of computer interfaces and the multi-tasking capabilities of the NeXT computer.[10]

The following day 13 October saw the follow-up event "The NeXT Day" where selected educators and software developers were invited (for $100 registration fee) to send up to four key individuals to attend the first public technical overview of the NeXT computer which was held at the . This event gave developers interested in developing NeXT software an insight into the software architecture, object-oriented programming and developing for the NeXT Computer. The luncheon speaker was Steve Jobs.[11]

The program was designed for experienced developers and provided a technical overview of the NeXT software architecture and development environment.

This Launch event was replicated at other venues over the following days at other locations such as Boston’s Symphony Hall[12] and University of California, Riverside.[13]

The Agenda[]

Each attendee received an agenda for the day:

Who Developers interested in developing NeXT software
What The NeXT Day
When 8AM to 6PM, October 13, 1988 (luncheon included)
Where San Francisco Hilton (Mason & O'Farrell Streets)
Why To provide a technical overview of the NeXT computer
How Fill out and return the enclosed registration form
8:00 Continental Breakfast
9:00 Opening
Product Overview
Software Architecture
Building User Interfaces
NeXT Software Toolkit
12:00 Luncheon, speaker: Steven P. Jobs
1:30 NeXT Operating System
Display PostScript
Object-oriented Programming
Developing for the NeXT Computer
NeXT Developer Services
Closing Remarks
5:00 Reception

Launch Poster[]

The launch poster was given to delegates of the launch event. It measured 37" by 17" and was printed on heavy poster paper. The poster's design consisted of a NeXT Computer, Screen, Keyboard, Mouse and Laser Printer. It also incorporated the NeXT logo designed by Paul Rand and the text "October 12, 1988 - Computing Advances To The NeXT Level".

References[]

  1. ^ a b "NeXT Introduction" (Press release). NeXT, Inc. 8 September 1988.
  2. ^ The Best of NeXT Computers: NeXT Timeline
  3. ^ a b c d Schlender, Brenton R. (13 October 1988). "Next Project: Apple Era Behind Him, Steve Jobs Tries Again, Using a New System". The Wall Street Journal (Western ed.). Palo Alto, California: Dow Jones & Company Inc. p. Front Page Leader. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  4. ^ ABC News: When Steve Jobs Got Fired By Apple
  5. ^ The Verge: Steve Jobs video from his days at NeXT
  6. ^ a b Low End Mac: The NeXT Years: Steve Jobs before His Triumphant Return to Apple
  7. ^ a b Schwartz, John (24 October 1988). "Steve Jobs Comes Back". Newsweek. Palo Alto, California. p. Business. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  8. ^ Hafner, Katherine M.; Brandt, Richard (13 October 1988). "Steve Jobs: Can He Do It Again". BusinessWeek. Palo Alto, California. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  9. ^ Burrows, Peter (6 October 2011). "Steve Jobs: The Wilderness, 1985-1997". Bloomberg Businessweek. San Francisco. p. Features. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  10. ^ Vimeo: NeXT Computer Introduction 1988
  11. ^ "The NeXT Day Agenda" (Press release). NeXT, Inc. 8 September 1988.
  12. ^ High Tech History: Steve Jobs and the NeXT Big Thing
  13. ^ Kenneth Leung, Thinking, Eating, Seeing: 1988 NeXT computer launch poster (Vintage Original)
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