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Even it were true that the Lisa had been a simple copy of Alto software (it isn't), or there hadn't been any prototypes for a windowed bitmap display at Apple b

Even it were true that the Lisa had been a simple copy of Alto software (it isn't), or there hadn't been any prototypes for a windowed bitmap display at Apple before this visit (there was), it's technically somewhat difficult to steal what you own. Notably, the (in)famous PARC visit was coordinated in fulfilment of a condition for an exchange of stocks between Xerox (who had advanced Apple on the matter) and Apple, when Apple was still a private company. So Apple actually co-owned part of Xerox PARC. (In this regard, it may be even a bit ironic that the Apple delegation was shown less than what had been the usual program for similar tours, of which there had been many before this.) Nevertheless, Apple licensed quite a bit from Xerox. Also, it may be important to note that the focus at Xerox PARC and Apple was quite different. If there had been inspirations initially (of course, there were), these developed quite differently, even radically so. You may also say, Xerox had a fair chance with the Star, being on the market without competition for years before the Lisa was eventually released. But Xerox PARC was so much more than just Smalltalk, and Xerox still got a rich return of investment out of PARC. (So it wasn't a failure either.)

masswerk 3y ago
PS: If you really want a prime example for parasitic Apple, look no further than the Mac eventually finding its killer application in desktop publishing. In order to so, Apple came up with the LaserWriter: They took Canon's LBP-CX laser printer engine (laser printing had been developed at Xerox PARC), bolted on their RIP utilizing PAL and RAM chips from other companies, and as they were at it, also hooked up their LocalTalk network interface. The software, PostScript, of course, came from Adobe, the founder of which, John Warnock, had come from PARC. This all was covered up by a case by Frog Design and Apple finally slapped their logo on this. As before, Apple fiendishly covered their traces by licensing what had not been developed in-house… ;-) None of this had been possible, hadn't Jobs seen the Canon LBP-CX, while negotiating for a supply of floppy drives, and hadn't he been aware of John Warnock and his PostScript development, and, of course, none of this had been possible without Xerox PARC. Still, we call this legitimate development.
- turnsout 3y ago
  Because it absolutely IS legitimate development. Apple had the insight to take the printer engine, combine it with a networking interface, and bake in PostScript. If you have 1/3 or even 2/3 of those, you don't get the desktop publishing revolution. Most of the time, innovation is combining a few things that exist, but putting them together in an inspired way and nailing the execution. That's the iPhone. It's synthesis.
  - masswerk 3y ago
    This was really meant as a bit of comedy, but with a grain of seriousness. It was meant to demonstrate that, if you just try hard enough, you can twist the history of about any product in this direction.

masswerk 3y ago

PS: If you really want a prime example for parasitic Apple, look no further than the Mac eventually finding its killer application in desktop publishing. In order to so, Apple came up with the LaserWriter: They took Canon's LBP-CX laser printer engine (laser printing had been developed at Xerox PARC), bolted on their RIP utilizing PAL and RAM chips from other companies, and as they were at it, also hooked up their LocalTalk network interface. The software, PostScript, of course, came from Adobe, the founder of which, John Warnock, had come from PARC. This all was covered up by a case by Frog Design and Apple finally slapped their logo on this. As before, Apple fiendishly covered their traces by licensing what had not been developed in-house… ;-) None of this had been possible, hadn't Jobs seen the Canon LBP-CX, while negotiating for a supply of floppy drives, and hadn't he been aware of John Warnock and his PostScript development, and, of course, none of this had been possible without Xerox PARC. Still, we call this legitimate development.

turnsout 3y ago
Because it absolutely IS legitimate development. Apple had the insight to take the printer engine, combine it with a networking interface, and bake in PostScript. If you have 1/3 or even 2/3 of those, you don't get the desktop publishing revolution. Most of the time, innovation is combining a few things that exist, but putting them together in an inspired way and nailing the execution. That's the iPhone. It's synthesis.
- masswerk 3y ago
  This was really meant as a bit of comedy, but with a grain of seriousness. It was meant to demonstrate that, if you just try hard enough, you can twist the history of about any product in this direction.