Rebirth of America, this is my era

Chapter 286 The Future Is Yours

Perhaps because the graphical user interface was so tempting, Steve Jobs was a little emotional and incoherent at this moment.

But even so, Ethan Jones still made his description clear.

The cause and effect of the incident made him feel deeply moved.

If we really want to explore the reason why Xerox researched graphical user interfaces, we need to go back more than 30 years. During World War II, in order to find more possibilities for victory, Fred Terman's teacher Vannevar Bush proposed countless technological hypotheses.

In 1945, he published a book called "As We May Think", which described his understanding of the future.

For ordinary people at the time, this book may have been a beautiful fantasy, but only people in the industry knew that Vannevar's conjectures were based on the existing technology mastered by the Federation.

Although the hypothesis is not 100% achievable, it is not a problem to develop 98% of it. Therefore, after the war, the relaxed environment allowed countless scientists to start research. Then, in the past 30 years, mankind has entered an era of technological explosion, with ultra-high-resolution microfilm, multi-screen cameras with motor interaction, and small appliances that store a lot of knowledge...

That was all rubbed out by the faithful followers of Vannevar.

This situation also made Vannevar's title as the science czar more and more famous.

When countless scientists were working frantically in the direction proposed by Vannevar, Fred Terman, who wanted to turn Stanford into a world-class university, naturally could not fall behind. So, while establishing the Stanford Research Park, he also sent out invitations to heroes, recruiting a group of expert professors who were interested in the teacher's conjecture to come to Stanford to do research. Among them was an engineer named Douglas Engelbart.

Douglas participated in World War II and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in electrical engineering. After seeing Dr. Vannevar's conjecture, he was eager to make it all a reality. At first, he entered the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to do research, but after finding that he was not knowledgeable enough, he went to the University of California, Berkeley to study for a master's and doctoral degree in electrical engineering. In 1957, he applied to Stanford and came to the Stanford Research Institute, and then...

He rushed all the way on the road of dreaming.

It started in 1957 and ended in 1967.

In just ten years, Douglas obtained more than a dozen patents, including but not limited to mouse, display editing, window, cross-file editing, outline processing, hypertext, groupware...

Yes.

He alone developed the basic patents for the graphical user interface.

In 1968, he had already demonstrated his mature technology at a computer conference held in San Francisco. Whether it was video conferencing or word processing, hypertext or collaborative editing, these things that appeared every day in the Internet age could be used directly in 1968.

The demonstration of these technologies made him famous in academic circles and attracted countless companies to contact him, wanting to commercialize all of his brilliant ideas, including Xerox.

But unfortunately...

Douglas didn't make any deals with any of the companies.

Because according to Douglas's vision, the computers of the future will never run independently. They must be networked and collaborative, with separate clients and servers. However, all companies doing business only want to do enterprise business, and no one wants to waste time in the personal computer market with an uncertain future.

After all, Intel hadn't exploded yet at this time.

It would have been fine if the deal didn't come to fruition, but what was frustrating was that despite their different ideas, those companies that wanted to work in the field of graphical user interfaces poached Douglas' team.

The one that dug the hardest among them was naturally Xerox. It was precisely because of this that Xerox was able to develop the world's first graphical user interface computer in 1973 and completed it this year.

The most ironic thing is...

Ten years ago, Douglas said that computers will definitely develop towards miniaturization.

No company agreed.

Ten years later, all the companies that had rejected Douglas ten years ago have turned around.

Because everyone has discovered that computers can only develop in the direction of miniaturization.

After Ethan heard this legendary story, he immediately understood the meaning of Steve Jobs' emphasis on "the future is at your feet". Although Xerox had a graphical user interface at the moment, they were running with a problem and did not enjoy all the patents of the graphical user interface.

So if they want to overtake others, they can just buy the basic patents from the Stanford Research Institute and then invite Douglas Engelbart to Apple, then they can become absolutely orthodox.

And this matter was also very simple for Ethan Jones.

A phone call to Fred Terman would have inevitably led to the transfer of the patents from Stanford Research Institute.

At the same time, Douglas, who has been following Dr. Vannevar for the past few decades, will also move.

Many people do hate academic cliques, but once you enter that door, you will be delighted.

What's more, Ethan Jones is not entering a regional family yet. As long as Fred Terman is still basking in the sun in California, the North American scientific community will give him face.

"So what do you think now?" Ethan took a sip of water and looked at Jobs.

"Develop a computer with a graphical user interface on your own." Jobs said without hesitation, "As long as Apple can bring this product to market, we will definitely be able to revolutionize the world."

"If that's the case, cooperating with Xerox is the best solution." Ethan said, "Xerox has already come up with a mature solution, so in this case, it would be more beneficial for us to directly modify their products, and... they seem to be willing to cooperate?"

"But they have no sincerity in cooperating." Jobs shrugged and said, "Xerox wants to use technology as a stake to acquire 10% of Apple's shares. This is impossible."

“Before, when Wenlock invested in us, our valuation was already over 100 million.”

“And now, a technology without full copyright wants to get a 10% stake?”

"Will you agree to that?"

Of course Ethan wouldn't agree!

When he used spreadsheets to boost Apple's sales, Xerox wanted to get 10% of the shares with a technology that had no original accumulation? This was simply a dream!

but……

If they copied Xerox without saying a word when Xerox trusted them so much and showed them its technology without any reservation, it would be unacceptable in any way.

Yes, Ethan is indeed a bit careful about his reputation now.

Because his reputation is indeed good now. After respecting Ralph Baer, ​​helping Bill Mensch, and funding Edgar Codd, everyone in the academic circle knows about his excellent character.

This kind of personality will give him more advantages when competing for projects with various companies in the future.

After all, they couldn't keep bothering the old principal.

At the same time, not every scientist is free from worldly desires.

So, when Xerox wanted to cooperate but the price was a bit too high, Ethan felt a headache, and at the same time, he discovered another problem.

"Steve."

"Ok?"

"You haven't told me why Xerox wants to work with us?"

"Ah - I don't know the answer to this question either -" Jobs tilted his head and said, "I'm not Xerox, how would I know why they want to work with us?"

"..." Ethan was speechless at the sneaky answer.

But before he could say anything, Jobs laughed and said, "Okay, okay, okay, although I am not Xerox and I don't know why they want to cooperate with us, I do know one thing: Xerox may be targeting you and Lawrence Rockefeller."

"The reason I came for you is simple."

"Because Xerox itself knew that in the graphical user interface project, they were also thieves. They stole Douglas's things. Although this was legal and compliant, it was not in the interests of scientists."

"If they really bring this product to market, I don't know where else they will survive, but at least in Silicon Valley, because the scientists here won't bother with a thief."

"So, working with us to develop the graphical user interface was their best option. As long as you allow Xerox to enter, it means that they have reached a settlement with Stanford. As long as Douglas is given some compensation, Xerox will still be an excellent company that respects technicians."

"And the reason for coming for Laurance Rockefeller is even simpler."

"Xerox has just been sanctioned by the Federal Trade Commission, and now they need a safe haven. And right now, the best safe haven in the personal computer field is us, Apple."

"Because all the top people in the United States know that this is an industry that Lawrence Rockefeller has set his sights on."

"Although the Rockefeller family is also under antitrust sanctions, they are no longer the same as they were in the past. They have transformed from a resource-based company into an old money family. They have integrated into many industries such as technology, education, finance, and military industry, and actively participated in politics. If a monopoly event occurs again, and it is a non-resource-based technology monopoly, then..."

“Who will stand up and say that this kind of monopoly is unacceptable?”

"Xerox has tasted pain."

"so……"

"Next, all they want is success."

Ethan thought it made sense.

And since Xerox was in a hurry, there was no need for them to copy casually.

“There’s no rush for this matter.” Ethan said, “Let’s wait until Evelin and Stephen come back.”

"Let's first figure out the details of this product, and then think about what to do."

"No problem." Jobs agreed quickly.

At the same time, he also said: "Then I'll go over again to see how they are talking?"

"Uh-huh." Ethan nodded in agreement. As the door closed, Ethan leaned back in his chair.

To be honest, even though he had lived two lives and even though he had the memories of his past life, Ethan had never imagined that the patent for the graphical user interface that changed the world was hidden in Stanford.

The R&D personnel are even more fans of mentor Fred Terman.

This pleasant surprise at his fingertips made him purse his lips.

The joy that came naturally made his nasal cavity emit a loud sound.

After a moment, he couldn't help but hold his forehead and burst into laughter.

"Steve Ross..."

"Do you know the value of the Destiny Child?"

"The general trend is not on your side, and you still want to go against it?"

"Just wait to die!"

Ethan didn't know!
When Xerox, the guy who holds the key to the future, takes the initiative to find him, what chance does the Warner Alliance led by Steve Ross have to turn things around!

A GUI to beat the shit out of them!

And if we add Word, which Xerox already has, PowerPoint, which is patented by HP, and Excel, which has already been made by Microsoft? He who can integrate Office can beat those idiots into incontinence!

"design?"

"layout?"

"In the face of absolute power, any skill is useless!"

Ethan, leaning back in his chair, was very happy when he thought that the gears of fate had started turning since Evelyn entered Stanford, and that God had fed her with food. What made him even happier was that at dinner time, three people who finally came back from Xerox brought him better news.

The first piece of news was brought by Evelyn and was about Douglas Engelbart.

This guy turned out to be a good friend of Vinton Cerf.

The reason why he firmly believed that computers in the future would be networked was because Vinton Cerf had shown him their network transmission project when he was at Stanford!

When Douglas saw with his own eyes that long-distance transmission of thousands of miles could be calculated in Mb, he knew that miniaturization was the future of computers. So when commercial companies approached him, he rejected the idea of ​​independent research and only wanted to make this thing into a personal computer!

And I want to recruit him into the group...

"I asked the Stanford Research Institute, and Doug is not doing well right now."

"Because his previous projects have military value, even though his projects are named after the Stanford Research Institute, a lot of the funding comes from the Department of Defense."

"But after his team was poached by other companies, he lost the possibility of making a profit and was abandoned by the Ministry of Defense. The research institute also failed to find the commercial value of his products, so..."

“He’s been having a hard time the last few years.”

"He uses his own experience in research."

"So much so that when his house caught fire in 1976, he couldn't afford to repair it."

"So, I sent someone to the Stanford Research Institute to look for his information. I wanted to give him some money first, and then invite him to do research at our Game of Destiny. His project doesn't require too much funding, and we have a venue. The building that the president approved for us before was the one that Edgar Codd used. He only used one floor, and he can choose the remaining five floors."

"Oh Evelyn - you did a great job -" Ethan liked his sister's choice.

He preferred the fact that Douglas Engelbart and Vinton Cerf were good friends.

Because it means...

No one in this world can steal his home!
No non-compete agreements in California?

So what!

There is no wall in this world that cannot be dug down!
Even if the capitalists are bragging!
It's impossible to poach my teacher!
As long as we get a deal with Xerox and bring Douglas Engelbart over...

Who else can do a GUI?
He asked——

Who else!
The second piece of news was discovered by Steve Wozniak.

"After communicating with Xerox staff, I learned that the minimum operating standard for the graphical user interface should be a 5-bit 128MHz processor and a KB RAM."

“This requirement is really very low!”

"Both Intel and Motorola have 5-bit MHz processors!"

“Of course Ethan, it would be even better if your Western Design Company could come up with its own products!”

"The 128KB RAM one is easy to solve!"

"I could weld them together with my feet!"

“When hardware issues can be easily resolved, our external disks can be put to the best use. Previously they were used to store Excel files, but now they can also display documents and presentations!”

"As long as we cooperate with Xerox, I am confident that we can officially launch this product into the market within three years, because we only have two tasks to do. One is to optimize the small computer for Xerox's products, and the other is to make a good WYSIWYG office tool!"

“I can be responsible for optimization!”

“Steve can handle things like experience and product aesthetics!”

"And the office supplies..."

"How about giving this to William and Paul? They are both capable enough."

"I believe that with our joint efforts, our new product will surely shock the world and shock people more than the Apple II or any external hard disk!

"Ethan!"

"When Steve and I show up with this product, you can retire!"

"Your time is about to pass!"

“The future must be ours!”

When Steve Wozniak was waving his hands and imagining the future, Ethan, who was sitting there listening carefully, was already laughing...

He likes the little fat boy's confidence!
I believe in his skills even more!
As for saying that his era is over and the future will belong to them?
"Oh--"

“Stephen—”

"I believe that day will come."

“The future will definitely be yours.”

"But now, he's still mine."

The confident words caused everyone at the scene to laugh.

And when everything was confirmed, Ethan raised his foot and kicked Jobs.

"? What are you doing?" Jobs, in pain, looked at Ethan in confusion.

Ethan smiled and said, "Go sort out Apple's financial report. I want to see it."

"What?" Jobs didn't understand.

"Since Xerox has shown its sincerity, we will accept it." Ethan spread his hands and said, "If spending money can allow us to change the world immediately, then I am willing to spend the money."

"certainly……"

"It can't be ten percent."

"Don't worry, I may not understand the technical aspects, but as for the negotiation..."

"Even Rockefeller has to bow his head!"

Ethan's words made Jobs happy.

He clapped his hands and said, "Okay, since you will go to talk in person, I feel relieved."

Before he finished speaking, he stood up and said, "I'll go back now."

"I took the initiative to work overtime this time."

Note: ① Douglas Engelbart’s most famous nickname is the father of the mouse, but in fact his greatest achievement is that he completed all the foundational work in the field of human-computer interaction, for which he won the Turing Award. He was indeed a fan of Dr. Vannevar and worked at the Stanford Research Institute from 1957 to 1977, which led to the fact that modern computers could only be born in Silicon Valley because the patents were all there. ② In reality, it was Xerox that found Apple and invested in it with one million US dollars and a graphical user interface. When Apple went public, Xerox’s shares were worth million US dollars. This is also the real reason why Steve Jobs called Bill Gates a thief. The graphical user interface was indeed not invented by Apple, but Jobs did buy it with money, and Gates…he took advantage of the opportunity after Jobs was kicked out of Apple.

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(End of this chapter)