Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011
There are those who have characterized myself as a so called "fan boy" of Apple and Steve Jobs because of my longtime preference for Apple devices after my first purchase of one of the original Macintosh releases. Truth be known, I was responsible for the design, proposal and eventual acquisition of a four-station networked computer system based on the first IBM PC and bought by General Dynamics where I was employed at the time as a systems engineer for the R&D flight simulator complex. It was, in fact, the first personal computers procured by the world's largest defense contractor, just about the same time personal computers where first introduced by Apple and others.
Although everyone in our group assured me that GD would never approve the purchase of "personal" computers for engineers. Even though a small number of Apple II computers had purchased by engineering in a rouge fashion, I was told, repeatedly, including group mangers, that the IBM based PC system I proposed would never see the light of say. Nevertheless, I was determined, so I put a proposal together for a $1000,000 budget, the justification to support it, and one day presented it to the VP on engineering at GD. He approved it and then it was sent to corporation headquarters where it was suggested by everyone else that it would be DOA when received in St. Louis. But, against all odds, it was approved by headquarters.
After funds where appropriated, I put the order into motion. But this computer system was not for me or any of my colleagues. It was for the electronics design group that built special electronic systems that I often needed for something in the simulation systems I designed. Until this moment, an "official" design workstation at GD cost $100,000 each for use by one person at a time. My PC system cost only $60,000 and allowed four designers to work simultaneously. The measure of this system's success was fully realized a few months later when one day the manager of that department stopped me while passing in a hall way to tell me how much he appreciated what I had done for his group, against all odds, and told me "since they had been using this system after we had it up running, morale by employees had shot up by 100% and the department manager was reported as very excited about the results. I never expected this recognition or response from him, I was simply trying to find ways the group get work done faster because everything was behind schedule, even though within budget. Having more money than time, it seemed to be a good solution using technology to advance the cause.
What does this have to do with Steve Jobs? Well, nothing directly, but it is an odd story once you consider I was a Mac user that I also tried to justify the purchase of several new released Macintosh type computers, but I could never present them as anything other than "personal" computers. When I left GD two years later, I still was trying but never able to get Macs approved. I had purchased one of the first Macs for myself for home, but had to remain settled for use of a $1000,000 Digital computer, official workstation at GD, for continuing to write technical specifications for the simulator design group, some of which would be for systems to be built by the electrons group using the computers had acquired for them, against all odds.
Personally, I was forever "hooked" on Macs for their unusual capabilities and ease of use. They allowed technology to get out of the way, so even an engineer could get more work done. I knew by then that Apple and Steve Jobs had nailed the future path of personal computers, but I had to suffer for years by those who hated my preference for Macs. For a century, Mac users where made fun of, ridiculed and insulted. I never and still do not understand the hatred some people have for Macs, Apple or Steve Jobs. I have never hated the copycat MS Windows, but simply preferred Mac's design of the hardware and software for it's ease of use and more enjoyable interface. Whenever I have challenged an Apple basher, they have all admitted they had never even tried to use a Mac and were obviously totally misinformed.
Thanks Steve, for sticking to your passion, igniting the future of all personal computers and having to endure harsh, undeserved and misplaced criticism in the process. Thank you for daring to be different, a square peg in a round hole and crazy enough to believe that you could change the world -- because you did. You will surely be missed, but your impact on the computer, music and electronics industry will be felt for decades. The world is a better place by your visions and ability to "think different" and move technology forward significantly faster than anyone else.
The world is a more exciting place because of your life on the planet and your influences to inspire others... against all odds.
RIP
--George Wilkinson
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