> nobody valued those companies at (the appropriately adjusted equivalent of) 1.2 billion One counterpoint. My friend worked at a university. This was back in

> nobody valued those companies at (the appropriately adjusted equivalent of) 1.2 billion One counterpoint. My friend worked at a university. This was back in the era of punch-cards. Oracle came in with their relational database sales pitch (they were basically a very small sales team). His manager (who managed the punch-carders) saw the huge potential that everyone else did not (e.g. 'never going to happen'). Bought Oracle stock right when it went public (mid-80s). Kept on buying it. Retired in her mid 40s. Now lives on her own farm, tending her own sheep (not sure if it was sheep or some other livestock), in the country.