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How did Xerox (Parc) fail to capitalise on such a technology lead compared all other computer companies at the time is the one of greatest business mysteries of
by smallstepforman 3y ago
How did Xerox (Parc) fail to capitalise on such a technology lead compared all other computer companies at the time is the one of greatest business mysteries of how defeat was barely snatched away from the strong grip of victory.
- hnthrowaway0328 3y agoI suspect companies such as Xerox are never very good at commercializing new techs on new hardwares.
- dtagames 3y agoThey were certainly good at commercializing xerography. The problem comes when you make all your money from one tech and then another comes along to sweep that tech away. You're disincentivized to walk away from your sunk costs and current revenue. Steve Jobs called the Xerox execs "toner heads" for exactly this reason. The same is true of today's gas engine car companies.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- 8bitsrule 3y agoXerox had already become a very big company since the 1959 intro of Xerox 914 "the most successful single product of all time." An industry leader. IBM had a similar, 'Snow White' problem when 'personal computing' came along. Also, Jobs hired Parc's engineers.
- KerrAvon 3y agoNo, it wasn’t a brain drain issue. Apple didn’t hire many PARC engineers; one or two, maybe a few more. Microsoft also hired some PARC folks.