Imagine having to ask permission to use the name of your flagship product. This is exactly what It happened to Apple in the 80s with the Macintosh, the computer that changed the world of computing and almost lost its iconic name.
It was in 1982, Two years remained before the legendary presentation the original Macintosh. Steve Jobs was determined to launch a computer that would revolutionize the market. But there was one small problem: the name “Macintosh” already belonged to another company.
The origin of a legendary name
Jef Raskin was the original creator of the Macintosh project, although he chose the name “McIntosh” in honor of your favorite applea Canadian variety. Raskin, in his desire to avoid feminine names for computers (which he considers sexist), opted for the name of a fruit. Plus, it fits the company name perfectly. However, the company McIntosh Laboratory, manufacturer of high-end audio equipment, had already registered the name.
McIntosh Laboratory is a New York-based company specializing in the manufacturing of high-end audio equipment. Actually, They just turned 75 and continue to be leaders in their sound innovations and design. They make amplifiers known for their high fidelity and low distortion. Their products are recognizable by their black glass facade and their illuminated gauges.
Given this situation, Apple was forced to change the name to “Macintosh” to avoid legal conflicts and enable trademark registration. At that time, he was far from the giant he is today; He was faced with a dilemma: change his name or negotiate. Steve Jobs went ahead and opted for both.
On November 16, 1982, Steve Jobs decided to act on the subject (literally). They had already changed the original name from McIntosh to Macintosh, but pronouncing it the same way risked legal problems with the McIntosh Laboratory. For this reason, and with his characteristic charisma, Jobs wrote a letter to the president of his company. He said there:
We have become very fond of the name Macintosh. As if it were our own child, our product has developed a very defined personality.
The price of a name for history
Fortunately for Apple, the McIntosh laboratory was ready to negotiate. But it wasn’t cheap. It is estimated that Apple had to pay a minimum amount of $100,000 and another “considerably larger” to secure the rights to the name. There are no details on the final price, but we know that it represented a very big effort for Apple in the 80s.
As of now, many of us already know the story. The Macintosh finally came into existence in 1984, changing the world of personal computers forever. Decades later, the name lives on in products like iMac, MacBook and macOS. Although yes, abbreviated “Mac”. And it’s curious, but Apple didn’t use the word “Mac” until 2005 with the presentation of the first Mac mini.
Something that makes one wonder how Apple spent a considerable amount of money to ensure that “Macintosh” belonged to them. And now, 21 years later, this name has practically disappeared from the map. Today, it survives only as the name of the Mac hard drive.
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