In 1989, playing video or music on a computer required separate hardware and expensive software. But a small team at Apple changed this overnight with Road Pizza, their groundbreaking codec.

Steve Perlman and Eric Hoffert's software-only solution was more efficient than any hardware-based method. It allowed Macs to play video in real-time, demystifying the future of multimedia for creators everywhere.

Their breakthrough led to QuickTime, launched by Don Casey at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference. Despite a lack of budget and staff, QuickTime became an industry standard, proving that sometimes, visionary ideas come from outside the box.

From horses running on small screens to 1984 commercials, these developers showed that multimedia wasn’t just for movies; it was for everyone. It’s a story of how Apple once again pushed the boundaries of technology and creativity.

Their gamble paid off, making every Mac capable of playing video—forever changing the way we consume media on computers.