obscure kid to simulate a multimillion dollar microbiology labo-
ratory on his screen and then find a cure for cancer.” 46
In September 1985, Jobs officially left Apple, taking five mem-
bers of his Macintosh team with him. He sold all but one share
of his stock in the company to fund NeXT. He immediately hired
the most gifted engineers he could find. Like his Macintosh team,
these engineers, too, believed that their work would change the
world.
Of course, Jobs demanded that everything at NeXT precisely
fit his vision. The building that housed the company had to be
an architectural masterpiece. The factory had to be kept spotless.
And the computer itself had to have revolutionary technology
and impeccable style.
This demand for perfection cost Jobs $10 million in the first
After leaving Apple in 1985, Jobs launched NeXT
computers.
Down but Not Out
61