On Version History: how a side project within Apple turned into one of the most influential computers ever.

The Macintosh didn't start out as a masterpiece. It lacked memory and software support; users couldn't customize it to their needs. However, it was right about user-friendly simplicity and meticulous hardware-software design. Despite early flaws, the Macintosh changed computing forever.

In almost every important way, the Macintosh got things right—right about the future of computers, and right about the importance of hardware and software synergy. It may not have sold well initially but it set the stage for what came next.

On this episode of Version History, David Pierce, Nilay Patel, and John Gruber delve into the corporate infighting that birthed the project, its evolution over time, and the massive hype Steve Jobs and his team generated. They also debate whether it’s the computer or the commercial that truly defines its legacy.

Discover more about this pivotal moment in technology: David Pogue’s book on Apple's 50 years, Steven Levy’s ‘Insanely Great’, Andy Hertzfeld’s blog, and revisit the 1984 ad that changed everything. Dive into the full story here: