In the annals of technology history, few companies embody the spirit of innovation and resilience quite like NeXT, Inc. Founded in 1985 by Steve Jobs just months after his dramatic departure from Apple, NeXT was born from a vision to revolutionize computing for higher education and beyond. What started as a bold gamble against the odds would eventually shape the future of personal computing, graphical user interfaces, and even the World Wide Web. This is the story of NeXT, Inc.—a tale of ambition, technological breakthroughs, and ultimate redemption.

The Genesis: Jobs' Departure from Apple and the Birth of NeXT

The story begins in 1985, when Steve Jobs, Apple's co-founder and visionary leader, was ousted from the company he helped create. After a power struggle with CEO John Sculley, Jobs resigned, taking with him a small team of talented engineers and designers from Apple's SuperMicro division. Jobs' departure was not just a personal setback; it was a catalyst for something new. Inspired by a conversation with Nobel Laureate Paul Berg, who lamented the limitations of wet lab research due to expensive and time-consuming computer simulations, Jobs envisioned a powerful workstation tailored for universities and research institutions.

NeXT was incorporated in September 1985, with Jobs as chairman and CEO. The company assembled a star-studded team, including Joanna Hoffman, Bud Tribble, George Crow, Rich Page, Susan Barnes, Susan Kare, and Dan'l Lewin—many of whom had worked on Apple's Macintosh project. This core group brought expertise in hardware, software, and design, setting the stage for NeXT's ambitious goals. Jobs famously promised that NeXT would not compete directly with Apple, but the move still sparked a lawsuit from his former employer, alleging insider information theft. The suit was eventually dismissed, allowing NeXT to proceed.

The Iconic NeXT Computer: Hardware Innovation in a Cube

NeXT's first product, unveiled in 1988, was the NeXT Computer—a sleek, magnesium-cased workstation nicknamed "the cube" for its distinctive one-foot cubic form factor. Designed by Hartmut Esslinger of Frog Design, the machine was a masterpiece of industrial design, featuring a black enclosure with the company's logo engraved at a precise 28-degree angle, courtesy of graphic designer Paul Rand. Under the hood, it packed a 25 MHz Motorola 68030 processor, 8 to 64 MB of RAM, a 256 MB magneto-optical drive (a novel storage technology at the time), and a 17-inch MegaPixel grayscale display capable of 1,120×832 resolution.

The NeXT Computer was priced at $6,500 initially, targeting universities and research labs. It included innovative features like a built-in DSP chip for advanced sound processing and the Music Kit software for music synthesis. Despite its high cost and delayed release (originally planned for early 1987), the machine received rave reviews for its performance and aesthetics. Ross Perot, the billionaire entrepreneur, invested $20 million for a 16% stake, becoming NeXT's first major investor and joining its board. By 1989, Canon invested $100 million, securing a 16.67% stake and committing to install NeXTSTEP on its own workstations.

NeXTSTEP: The Operating System That Changed Everything

While the hardware was impressive, NeXT's true legacy lies in its software. NeXTSTEP, the company's operating system, was a groundbreaking Unix-based platform that pioneered object-oriented programming and advanced graphical user interfaces. Developed by engineers like Avie Tevanian, NeXTSTEP featured a modular architecture, built-in networking, and tools like Interface Builder for rapid application development. It collaborated with Adobe on Display PostScript, enabling high-quality on-screen graphics.

NeXTSTEP was ahead of its time, offering features that would later become standard in modern operating systems. Its object-oriented framework influenced competitors like Microsoft, which developed Cairo in response, and Taligent, a joint venture by Apple, IBM, and HP. NeXTSTEP's portability allowed it to run on various architectures, including Intel 80486, PA-RISC, and SPARC processors. This versatility made it popular in institutions and government agencies, including the Naval Research Laboratory and the CIA.

Evolution and Challenges: From Hardware to Software Focus

In 1990, NeXT released second-generation machines: the NeXTcube and NeXTstation. These were faster and cheaper, with Motorola 68040 processors and options for color graphics via the NeXTdimension board. However, sales remained modest—only about 50,000 units were sold in total. Facing financial pressures, NeXT pivoted in 1993, exiting the hardware business and renaming itself NeXT Software, Inc. The company laid off 230 employees, focusing on software licensing.

This shift led to partnerships with Sun Microsystems to create OpenStep, decoupling NeXTSTEP's application layer for use on other operating systems. NeXT also developed WebObjects, one of the first enterprise web frameworks, enabling dynamic web applications. Though expensive at $50,000, WebObjects was used by major companies like Dell, Disney, and the BBC. NeXT even acquired the Objective-C programming language from Stepstone, further solidifying its software ecosystem.

The Acquisition by Apple and NeXT's Lasting Impact

NeXT's story reached its climax in 1996 when Apple, struggling with outdated software, announced its acquisition of NeXT for $427 million in cash and stock. The deal brought Jobs back to Apple as a consultant, and NeXTSTEP became the foundation for Apple's future operating systems. OPENSTEP for Mach evolved into Rhapsody, then Mac OS X (later macOS), introducing features like the Dock, Services menu, and Cocoa API.

NeXT's influence extended far beyond Apple. Tim Berners-Lee used a NeXT Computer at CERN to develop the world's first web browser and server in 1990. Video game pioneers at id Software built Doom and Quake on NeXT machines. The company's emphasis on object-oriented design and user experience set standards that shaped the tech industry. Even after the acquisition, NeXT's DNA lives on in macOS, iOS, and countless applications.

Corporate Culture and the Human Element

Beyond technology, NeXT fostered a unique corporate culture. Jobs emphasized community over hierarchy, with flat salaries (initially $75,000 for early employees, $50,000 for later ones) and open access to payroll information. Offices in Palo Alto and Redwood City featured luxurious designs by I.M. Pei, with hardwood floors, custom furniture, and Ansel Adams prints. This environment attracted top talent and fostered innovation, though it also contributed to high costs.

NeXT's journey was marked by both triumphs and setbacks. It sold only 50,000 computers but created technologies that influenced billions of devices. Jobs once called it "five years ahead of its time," and history has proven him right. NeXT was not just a company; it was a bridge between Apple's early success and its modern dominance.

Reflecting on NeXT's Enduring Legacy

Forty years after its founding, NeXT, Inc. stands as a testament to visionary entrepreneurship. From a small startup born of personal upheaval to a cornerstone of modern computing, NeXT demonstrated that failure can be a stepping stone to greater achievements. Its innovations in hardware design, operating systems, and web technology continue to resonate, reminding us that true progress often comes from challenging the status quo.

Steve Jobs' venture with NeXT was more than a business; it was a philosophical pursuit of excellence. As Jobs himself reflected, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." NeXT embodied that passion, leaving an indelible mark on the world of technology. In an era of rapid change, NeXT's story inspires us to dream big, innovate boldly, and never settle for mediocrity.