Didn't see it that first link (and too lazy to read all the others
), but the article in today's paper had a quote from Marc Andreessen, who co-founded Netscape, saying, in effect, that most people don't realize how close to bankruptcy Apple was when Steve returned in 1997. Mr. Andreessen claims it would have been only a matter of weeks before the filing. I'm not sure about that time frame and how Apple would have been able to find more investors or re-negotiated loans that quickly, but it was probably a lot closer than most of us thought. Of course, I had no idea how weak the finances of FedEx (Actually Federal Express back in 1974) were when I was hired, either! "What we don't know can help us!"
I'll now check those other links and return to eat my words, if necessary.
Still, the fact that Apple/Steve has affected so many business areas is quite amazing. Most will remember Henry Ford only for his work in automobiles, PanAm's Juan Trippe on world-wide air travel, even Fred Smith for over night delivery. Steve/Apple has re-ordered the music, video and movie businesses and even his original concern, computers, is still a solid money maker. But I think his biggest contribution has been his uncompromising passion for perfection, at least his version of it, in everything he pursues.
