NeXT Cube
physical object
Identifier
2025.13.9Description
In 1985, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs led Apple's SuperMicro division, which was responsible for the development of the Macintosh and Lisa personal computers. Jobs visited university departments and faculty members to sell Macintosh when it was suggested to him that he develop a high-end workstation designed for colleges, students, and universities.Jobs was intrigued by the concept of a powerful workstation and contemplated starting a higher education computer company in the fall of 1985, amidst increasing turmoil at Apple. Jobs's division failed to release upgraded versions of the Macintosh or much of the Macintosh Office system. As a result, sales plummeted, and Apple was forced to write off millions of dollars in unsold inventory. Apple's chief executive officer (CEO) John Sculley ousted Jobs from his day-to-day role at Apple, replacing him with Jean-Louis Gassée in 1985. Later that year, Jobs began a power struggle to regain control of the company.
After several months of being sidelined, Jobs resigned from Apple on September 13, 1985. He told the board he was leaving to set up a new computer company, and that he would be taking several Apple employees from the SuperMicro division with him. Ten days later, Apple filed a $5 million law suit against Steve Jobs and co-founder Richard Page, to prohibit them from using proprietary Apple information, and from raiding other executives for the purpose of gaining access to Apple information. On January 17, 1986, the suit was dismissed "without prejudice", which meant that the lawsuit could be reinstated if Apple felt that Jobs violated the agreement, or if NeXT's products were found to incorporate proprietary information.
Jobs agreed to not compete with Apple products.