NeXT Introduction
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The NeXT Introduction sub-titled "the Introduction to the NeXT Generation of Computers for Education[1]" was a lavish (invitation only) gala launch event [2] for The NeXT Computer (also called the NeXT Computer System) was described as a multimedia extravaganza[3]. It was held at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, California on Wednesday October 12, 1988. The event ran from 9:30am till 12 noon.[1]Attendees were all given a unique launch event poster.
After Steve Jobs departed Apple three years prior to this event[4], he sank from sight only emerging once in 1986 to unveil the NeXT logo and once in early 1987 to announce that H. Ross Perot had invested $20 million in NeXT inc[5]. Otherwise, Steve Jobs shunned public appearances at computer-industry events to avoid having to comment publicly about his new company's activities[3]. But then he re-emerged with this Launch in what was described as having "the subtlety of a Hollywood première[3]" in what was his first major public appearance since leaving Apple.
More than 3000 invitations were sent out for the launch event but not a single Apple employee was invited[3].
The following day the 13th October saw the follow-up event "The NeXT Day" where selected educators and software developers were invited (for $100 registration fee) to send up to four key individuals to attend the first public technical overview of the NeXT computer which was held at the San Francisco Hilton. This event gave developers interested in developing NeXT software an insight into the software architecture, object-oriented programming and developing for the NeXT Computer. The luncheon speaker was Stephen P. Jobs.[6]
The program was designed for experienced developers and provided a technical overview of the NeXT software architecture and development environment.
This Launch event was replicated at other venues over the following days at other locations such as Boston’s Symphony Hall [7] and University of California, Riverside[8].
The Agenda
Each attendee received an agenda for the day:
| Who | Developers interested in developing NeXT software |
| What | The NeXT Day |
| When | 8AM to 6PM, October 13, 1988 (luncheon included) |
| Where | San Francisco Hilton (Mason & O'Farrell Streets) |
| Why | To provide a technical overview of the NeXT computer |
| How | Fill out and return the enclosed registration form |
| 8:00 | Continental Breakfast |
| 9:00 | Opening |
| Product Overview | |
| Software Architecture | |
| Building User Interfaces | |
| NeXT Software Toolkit | |
| 12:00 | Luncheon, speaker: Steven P. Jobs |
| 1:30 | NeXT Operating System |
| Display PostScript | |
| Object-oriented Programming | |
| Developing for the NeXT Computer | |
| NeXT Developer Services | |
| Closing Remarks | |
| 5:00 | Reception |
Launch Poster
The launch poster was given to delegates of the launch event. It measured 37" by 17" and was printed on heavy poster paper. The poster's design consisted of a NeXT Computer, Screen, Keyboard, Mouse and Laser Printer. It also incorporated the NeXT logo designed by Paul Rand and the text "October 12, 1988 - Computing Advances To The NeXT Level".
References
- ^ a b "NeXT Intoduction" (Press release). NeXT, Inc. 8 September 1988.
{{cite press release}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ The Best of NeXT Computers: NeXT Timeline
- ^ a b c d Schlender, Brenton R. (1988-10-13). "Next Project: Apple Era Behind Him, Steve Jobs Tries Again, Using a New System". The Wall Street Journal (Western ed.). Palo Alto, California: Dow Jones & Company Inc. p. Front Page Leader. Retrieved 2014-10-20.
- ^ ABC News: When Steve Jobs Got Fired By Apple
- ^ Low End Mac: The NeXT Years: Steve Jobs before His Triumphant Return to Apple
- ^ "The NeXT Day Agenda" (Press release). NeXT, Inc. 8 September 1988.
{{cite press release}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ High Tech History: Steve Jobs and the NeXT Big Thing
- ^ Kenneth Leung, Thinking, Eating, Seeing: 1988 NeXT computer launch poster (Vintage Original)