Bab 44: Chapter 44: A Low-key Life with a High-profile Background
When Ethan heard the name Steve Wozniak, his smile became even brighter.
Honestly, a few hours ago, when Jobs publicly called the chubby guy next to him Stephen, Ethan had already recognized his identity. He was the true creator of Apple, the genius behind the Apple I.
However, since they were not acquainted, Ethan didn't directly call out his name back then, but now—
"Oh, Stephen, pleasure to meet you."
"I'm glad too."
After a firm handshake with Ethan, Wozniak swung his arm playfully, emphasizing with a beaming face, "Yo, do you believe this? I'm serious."
"Steve might not have told you, but I played Snake Game for several days straight after seeing it! That little snake you designed has a fascinating charm! It made me not want to go to work at all!"
"Really? I thought you might think it's lousy." Ethan replied with a smile, half-jokingly, "After all, when Steve introduced me to you just now, you didn't react at all."
"Oh! That's because I was furious at that moment!" Wozniak waved his hand, puffing up his cheeks for a dramatic effect, "When I was as angry as a big mahi-mahi wanting to grit its teeth, even if you were friendly, I couldn't possibly have laughed, right?"
"Hahaha, you're quite humorous, Stephen." Ethan burst into laughter, lowering his hands and exclaiming, "I can understand. I can understand your mood."
Ethan originally thought Wozniak was quite arrogant, especially when he was willing to pay for the damage on the Cowboy Star back on the ranch, rather than wasting time.
But now, the visible joy added a touch of humanity to him.
As it was already mealtime, after getting to know each other, Ethan suggested finding a place to eat.
Both Steves agreed, and after some searching, they entered a small restaurant in Menlo Park.
Ethan ordered a salad and a glass of lemon juice.
Jobs ordered an apple pie and a glass of apple juice.
Wozniak chose a burger and a cola.
After placing the order, the three sat by the window.
It was only at this point that Ethan inquired about the true circumstances of today's events.
Because he felt that something was off today. According to common sense, even if Wozniak and the others damaged someone else's machine, the original owners shouldn't react so aggressively.
As he asked, Jobs sighed, "It's all because of Stephen!"
"That day at the gathering, while he was showing me the dismantling method of the Cowboy Star, he also criticized the designer's work. He said the designer of the Cowboy Star was too wasteful. Clearly, a single circuit board could solve the problem, but they insisted on using five. If he did it, he would definitely do it better than that guy!"
"While I believe what he said is true, at the same time, I believe his words would upset others present. Ethan, do you know, the people you met today, they all have great respect for the inventor of the Cowboy Star, Edward Roberts. So when they heard Stephen's derogatory words, they got upset and argued with us on the spot."
"And then, that day, we parted ways unhappily."
"And then..."
"Today's situation unfolded."
Jobs sighed, expressing his frustration at the inexplicable trouble that had come their way.
"Is that so?" Ethan chuckled.
In his view, Jobs' troubles today could be described in two ways.
To put it poetically, it was like the glow of fireflies in decaying grass, unable to compare to the bright moon in the sky.
In simpler terms, it was like stating facts, but others thinking you're just boasting.
"I didn't say it wrong, did I? The craftsmanship of the Magnavox is garbage!"
As Ethan nodded with a smile, Wozniak also became spirited, saying, "A few months after using a few hundred dollars for a microcomputer, solder joints are already falling off? It's a disaster!"
"If we have to describe it, it's like a million-dollar plane flying for a month and then falling apart!"
"This is purely an accident! A production accident!"
"Okay, okay."
Jobs conceded, "We all know what you're saying is true, so let's not emphasize this matter anymore, okay?"
As if consoling a child, Jobs continued, "Stephen, we all know you're talented. The Magnavox microcomputer is not even comparable to your high school projects. The only reason you're lagging behind them is that when you were designing the microcomputer, there was no central microprocessor in the market!"
"Yes!"
Jobs' words made the chubby guy even more excited. "When I was in high school, Intel hadn't even been established yet! If we had Intel back then, no! If Motorola had a central microprocessor at that time, I would have already made a personal computer!"
"There wouldn't be this Magnavox incident!"
"..." Jobs closed his eyes. He really didn't want to deal with Wozniak anymore.
He praised Wozniak with the hope that he would calm down a bit. But unexpectedly...
It got even more chaotic.
Ethan observed the two's performance and, looking at Jobs' helpless appearance, couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.
This is truly a case of one thing leading to another!
In front of others, Jobs was extremely confident. But facing Wozniak, he seemed like Tom encountering Jerry, easily controlled.
'Interesting!' Ethan thought to himself.
At the same time, a question popped into his mind.
While he knew Wozniak was a true expert, he was also curious about how this guy started designing microcomputers in high school. After all, talent trees usually have a bit of a twist; the reality is not always as fast.
And when he asked this question, Jobs, who didn't want to continue discussing the Magnavox incident, quickly took over the conversation, saying, "This question is simple because his father taught him about it from a young age."
"Electronic knowledge, computer knowledge."
"What?" This fact surprised Ethan, and he turned to Wozniak. "Your father?"
"Yeah! My father!"
Whether it was because Wozniak was too confident or just naturally friendly, his head nodded quickly.
"When I was young, my father told me that in the future, computers would definitely develop towards miniaturization."
"According to the current iteration speed of human technology, in ten or twenty years at most, a personal computer will definitely be developed."
"If I remember correctly, he told me these things when... I was still in elementary school?"
"???" Numerous question marks appeared on Ethan's forehead.
In this moment, he even doubted his own ears.
Because Wozniak and Jobs were practically the same age, there was hardly any age difference between them!
And in such a situation, Wozniak's father introduced him to computers when he was a child?
When was that?
Ten years ago?
Fifteen years ago?
Late 1950s, early 1960s?
'What the heck! Meeting computers in that era?'
'What kind of family is this!'
Ethan suddenly felt something was off.
Because in his memory, countless media in his past life boasted that Apple was the true American dream, right?
In the entire tech industry, only Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were self-made!
But now?
Thinking about it, Ethan could no longer control his mouth. "Forgive my curiosity, Stephen, but is your father..."
Seemingly having answered countless similar questions, Wozniak had no intention of hiding, directly saying, "Oh, my father used to be an engineer, but he's not doing much research work now."
This answer left Ethan somewhat dissatisfied, and as he was about to continue questioning, the next second, Jobs had already revealed the truth. "Oh, Stephen, why be modest now? Isn't your dad the head of Lockheed's research team? You even said he coordinated with North Star Hercules!"
"Hush!" Wozniak touched his lips with his index finger, winked, and said, "This matter stays at home."
'!' Ethan raised an eyebrow and nodded knowingly.
Well, this was the result he wanted.
After all, a true ordinary family couldn't just have a slightly larger house.
At the same time, he muttered to himself, "Damn, there's not a self-made man among them!"
"Norman Fucking Rockwell!"
It wasn't until now that Ethan understood why Steve Wozniak and other big shots in the tech industry were different; there were no strange and sensational news about them.
This is America, after all!
If the media is the king without a crown, then the military-industrial complex is its father!
And in the midst of their conversation, the waiter brought their ordered food.
While savoring the meal and watching Wozniak eat leisurely, Ethan remembered a question.
"Stephen, do you have something urgent today?"
"If I remember correctly, you mentioned several times today that they were wasting your time?"
"Yeah," Ethan's words seemed like a dose of excitement, making the chubby guy happy again.
"They did waste my time." He emphasized, then continued, "Because after seeing the Milky Way, I picked up the idea of making personal computers again. I've been redesigning for the past few days, and around the beginning of this month, I've already drawn the circuit board diagrams!"
"Moreover, let me tell you, after my optimization, the personal computer I designed only needs one circuit board! Not like the Milky Way that requires five boards! It's cheaper to make!"
"More importantly, I found a CPU cheaper than the Motorola 6800 and the Intel 8080!"
At this point, he glanced around.
Seeing that nobody was paying attention to him, he lowered his voice and said, "Do you know, the CPU I found costs only forty-two dollars! Forty-two dollars! Not a hundred and forty-two dollars!"
"???"
This price widened Steve Jobs' eyes.
"How much?" Jobs found it hard to believe. "A forty-two dollar CPU? Are you sure about that? Can that thing be used?"
Ethan's eyes also instinctively lit up.
Because his treasure trove of memories told him that what he heard was likely about Apple.
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