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The 1980s were a transformative era for personal computing, with iconic products such as the Macintosh leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Yet, there exists a lesser-known tale of innovation, ambition, and untimely demise—Apple’s Lisa computer platform. In an enthralling half-hour documentary titled “Lisa: Steve Jobs’ Sabotage and Apple’s Secret Burial,” The Verge delves deep into the origins and obsolete status of this groundbreaking platform that preceded the Macintosh.
While the world associates 1984 with the advent of the Macintosh, the story of the Lisa unfolds in parallel. Apple’s Lisa was unveiled in 1983 as the company’s ambitious foray into the realm of modern, graphically driven computing. Pioneering features such as a mouse, windows, icons, and menus, which have become synonymous with user-friendly desktops, were all present in Lisa—more than a year before the Macintosh’s debut. However, despite its revolutionary nature, the Lisa was destined for a tragic fate.
The heart of the documentary centers around a key figure in the Lisa’s story: Bob Cook, a prominent Lisa reseller who had a front-row seat to the platform’s abrupt and unexpected demise in 1989. The Verge uncovers the intriguing details surrounding Apple’s alleged burial of approximately 2,700 unsold Lisa computers in Logan during that fateful September.
Cook’s firsthand account offers a riveting narrative of what transpired during those final days of Lisa’s existence. As the documentary unfolds, viewers are treated to a fascinating glimpse into the murky circumstances that surrounded the Lisa’s downfall, revealing a web of secrets and decisions that ultimately sealed its fate.
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The Lisa’s legacy is one of both triumph and tragedy. Although the platform never achieved the widespread success it aimed for, its technological advancements undoubtedly laid the groundwork for subsequent breakthroughs in the personal computing landscape. While Lisa may have been overshadowed by the Macintosh, its impact can still be felt to this day.