NeXTcube

After losing his job at Apple Computers Inc in 1985, Steve Jobs (1955-2011) founded the NeXT Computer. By 1987, a factory was built for manufacturing Jobs’ computer, the NeXTcube, which was introduced in 1988. Setting new standards, the NeXTcube (“the Cube”) was based on the Motorola 68030 processor running at 25MHz, coupled with the first built-in Digital Signal Processor, and cost $6,500. The Cube was the first to have 256 MB magneto-optical storage, 92 dpi grayscale display, built-in Ethernet, CD-quality sound, multimedia email, and more incased in a one-foot black magnesium cube. Rivaling Macintosh and PC’s products, the software accompanying the Cube used the UNIX operating system with its own graphical user interface. Only 50,000 NeXTcomputers were sold. In 1996, Apple bought NeXT for $450 million and Steve Jobs returned to Apple as CEO and used NeXTstep as a basis for MAC OS X. Yet, NeXT Inc’s biggest claim to fame is its role in the World Wide Web’s development since Sir Tim Berners-Lee used a NeXTcube in 1989 to create the Web at CERN. This Cube actually acted as the first server and is on display in Switzerland with a sticker handwritten by Berners-Lee, saying “This machine is a server. DO NOT POWER DOWN!!”