A closer look
The ultimate corporate swallowing of pride. In 1997, Apple was hemorrhaging money, weeks away from total financial collapse. Freshly reinstated CEO Steve Jobs had to go hat in hand to his greatest enemy, Microsoft, and ask for a lifeline. Bill Gates tossed Apple $150 million in exchange for non-voting stock and a promise that Mac would feature Internet Explorer. The Macworld audience literally booed as Gates appeared on a giant screen above Jobs. Fast forward to today, and Apple is worth trillions. Never count out a desperate man.
