Man Purchases Thousands of Apple Computers for Resale, Only for Apple to Seize and Destroy Them
In the 1980s, Apple found itself at a crossroads with the introduction of the Apple Lisa, a groundbreaking computer that offered users the ability to interact with their machines through a mouse, icons, and windows. However, the Lisa, launched in 1983, was doomed from the start due to its high price tag (nearly $10,000) and technical problems, eventually being overshadowed by the more affordable Macintosh released in 1984.
Fast forward to the late 1980s, entrepreneur Bob Cook, known for his work in salvaging unsold tech inventory, struck a deal with Apple to buy up to 7,000 unsold Apple Lisa units. Cook had ambitious plans to refurbish and resell them, even going as far as developing an improved Lisa Professional model.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Apple demanded the immediate return of all remaining Apple Lisa units in September 1989. Faced with Apple's overwhelming legal pressure, Cook complied. The company then had the entire stock crushed and buried in a landfill in Logan, Utah, effectively eliminating any possibility of the computers re-entering the market.
The reasons behind Apple's decision remain unclear, with speculations pointing towards brand protection and control over the ecosystem. This action, never officially explained, reveals early tensions within Apple between innovation and commercial failure, as well as a strict corporate control to maintain brand integrity at all costs.
The story of the Apple Lisa reflects a key turning point in Apple's evolution. It underscores Apple's early struggles with balancing groundbreaking but commercially unsuccessful technology, brand protection, and corporate control during a pivotal era of its development.
Despite being buried and erased from sight, the Apple Lisa's legacy continues to exist. Cook invested over $200,000 into research and development to improve both the hardware and the operating system of the Apple Lisa units. The legacy of the Apple Lisa continues to intrigue and inspire those interested in the history of personal computing.
Interestingly, Cook's company, Sun Remarketing, had previously helped Apple move surplus units of the Apple III. The destruction of the Lisa inventory, however, stands in stark contrast to Apple's current commitment to sustainability. Today, Apple products like the Mac Mini M4 are crafted from recycled materials, a far cry from the company's past practices.
In conclusion, the burial of the Apple Lisa in the Logan landfill is one of the most mysterious episodes in Apple's history. It serves as a reminder of Apple's evolution from a company that once destroyed thousands of potentially functional machines to one that now markets products with carbon neutrality and recycled materials. The Apple Lisa, though buried, continues to be a significant part of Apple's history and a symbol of the company's journey towards the tech giant it is today.
[1] Apple Lisa Buried in Utah Landfill [2] The Tragic Tale of Apple's Lisa Computer [3] The Apple Lisa: A Computer Ahead of Its Time
[1] While the Apple Lisa was physically erased from sight, the influence and legacy of the groundbreaking technology persisted – even inspiring advancements in its hardware and operating system, thanks to entrepreneur Bob Cook's significant investments.
[2] The Apple Lisa, a forerunner of technology with a mouse, icons, and windows, became a symbol of Apple's early struggles to balance innovation, commercial success, and brand protection – a journey that continues to fascinate those interested in the evolution of personal computing.
[3] As we look back on the story of the Apple Lisa, it's clear that its eventual burial marks a significant turning point in Apple's evolution – from a company that once destroyed potentially functional machines to a technology giant committed to sustainability, with products like the Mac Mini M4 being crafted from recycled materials.
