For those of us not old enough to remember Windows before its 3.1 days, here’s a bit of history from Tom Hormby of LowEndMac. I was aware that Office for Mac had been–and still is–one of Microsoft’s flagship products, but I didn’t realize Microsoft was also involved in the development of the Macintosh early on.

Microsoft was deeply involved in the development of the Macintosh. Microsoft had been the first outside developer to get a Macintosh prototype. The prototype was promptly nicknamed SAND (Steve’s Amazing New Device) by Bill Gates and Charles Simonyi.

Microsoft developed productivity software that the Macintosh desperately needed to make the Macintosh a contender in corporate markets.

Apparently, Apple was supposed to license out its Mac interface to Microsoft and other major developers, and if this plan had pushed through, the Mac could have been the standard interface even for PCs.

Apple was poised to license the Macintosh software to several major manufacturers and get the Macintosh standard firmly established in the business market, but Gassée would have none of it. He became more and more adamant in his opposition to the plan. He wouldn’t have any other company cannibalize Apple’s Macintosh sales, even if it meant establishing an industrywide standard.

Back then, the MS Windows 1.0 interface was so limited it wouldn’t have been a threat for Apple, except for what were believed to be elements lifted directly off the Mac interface. Apple threatened to sue, but Microsoft returned the threat. MS would cease to develop Office for the Mac, and that would have a negative impact on both Apple and Microsoft.

The concession?

Mac users everywhere were shocked that the Apple CEO would give Microsoft unfettered access to the Macintosh interface in exchange for Excel and Word.