Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview

In 1995, Robert X. Cringely interviewed Steve Jobs for the PBS documentary series Triumph of the Nerds—a rare sit-down talk, much of it unused. Recently resurfacing on a backup VHS tape, Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview is largely uncut and unadorned by archival footage or cutaway background info about old hacker terms or an explanation of the BASIC computer language. Identifying himself as a "hippie" rather than a "nerd," Jobs—speaking here a decade after he was ousted from Apple—discusses his origins in data technology and the making-cool-things field, employed at the age of 12 (!) by Hewlett-Packard, where he was struck by the upbeat, enviable corporate culture. Jobs tells stories about inventing the Apple and Apple II personal computers in a garage with Steve Wozniak, of developing the mouse against all advice from "experts," and of the triumphs and failures at Apple. Along the way, he loses no opportunity to speak badly of arch-nemesis Microsoft as lacking the vision needed to fulfill its promise, yet also labels the floundering mid-1990s Apple as a dying concern. Those looking for Nostradamus prophecies about the iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc., will be disappointed; however, what is worthwhile here are some pearls of business history and philosophy from the iconic and personable Jobs. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)