February 17, 1981: All Aboard the Mac Train

There were a great many people involved in the Mac project, but no one was likely more essential on the software side than Andy Hertzfeld. Originally working on the Apple II, Hertzfeld became dismayed when then president Michael Scott initiated a mass layoff.

Hearing of his discomfort, Scott asked Hertzfeld how he could put the gleam back in his eye. Herzfeld opined that working on the Mac side of things might be nice and the wheels began turning. After a brief interview with Steve Jobs about the possibility, Herzfeld returned to work on the Apple II project not knowing if his Mac ambitions were going anywhere.

That changed when Steve Jobs visited his cubicle and welcomed him to the Mac team. Hertzfeld wanted to make the transition after tying up some loose ends, but Steve Jobs could bear no delay. He yanked the power cord of Hertzfeld's computer from the wall and personally delivered Hertzfeld and his Apple II to his new office this month in February of 1981.