New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Steve Jobs' Plan for a Willy Wonka-Style Celebration of the Millionth iMac

Wednesday April 25, 2012 9:19 pm PDT by Eric Slivka
Among the many anecdotes about Steve Jobs included in Ken Segall's new book, Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success, one in particular stands out for its glimpse into Jobs' character, providing evidence of his willingness to engage in playful ideas when the mood suited him. The story takes place relatively soon after the launch of the original iMac, with Jobs wanting to find a high-profile way to celebrate the sale of the millionth one to mark Apple's comeback from the dead.
Steve's idea was to do a Willy Wonka with it. Just as Wonka did in the movie, Steve wanted to put a golden certificate representing the millionth iMac inside the box of one iMac, and publicize that fact. Whoever opened the lucky iMac box would be refunded the purchase price and be flown to Cupertino, where he or she (and, presumably, the accompanying family) would be taken on a tour of the Apple campus.

Steve had already instructed his internal creative group to design a prototype golden certificate, which he shared with us. But the killer was that Steve wanted to go all out on this. He wanted to meet the lucky winner in full Willy Wonka garb. Yes, complete with top hat and tails.
Those in the room with Jobs were amused by his excitement over the idea, but less than enthusiastic about seeing it come to fruition. Fortunately for those looking for a way out of it, California law required that all such sweepstake contests allow entry without requiring a purchase. Given that people would then be able to enter the contest without purchasing an iMac and there in fact being a very good chance that the winner wouldn't be an iMac owner or even an Apple fan, Jobs' pet idea for a Willy Wonka-themed prize was cast aside.
[ 157 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
macduke
78 months ago
Found this mockup:

Rating: 111 Votes
Avatar
macduke
78 months ago
Yet another example of government taking the fun out of everything. Haha.
Rating: 85 Votes
Avatar
Zarkizon
78 months ago
Like this?

http://youtu.be/gPYromrN7OI
Rating: 51 Votes
Avatar
WestonHarvey1
78 months ago

Yet another example of government taking the fun out of everything. Haha.


You got downvoted, but it really is. Who is harmed by this law not existing? What reasonable person would be offended by having to purchase a product to be entered into a contest?

No one benefits from a silly law like this. I'm sure there's some theoretical antitrust mumbo jumbo someone can come up with to justify it, but come on. All it did was ruin a really fun idea.
Rating: 40 Votes
Avatar
danembraceddc
78 months ago
Little known fact, the glass cube on Fifth Ave. was made from all the disassembled glass elevators that Steve commissioned for this event.
Rating: 32 Votes
Avatar
TheEndless
78 months ago
Didn't Willy Wonka give his factory to Charlie at the end of that story?
Rating: 27 Votes
Avatar
iMikeT
78 months ago
Too bad, I can imagine a little girl who's dad had his entire factory open up iMac boxes searching for the golden ticket like in the movie.
Rating: 26 Votes
Avatar
Jaredly
78 months ago

You got downvoted, but it really is. Who is harmed by this law not existing? What reasonable person would be offended by having to purchase a product to be entered into a contest?

No one benefits from a silly law like this. I'm sure there's some theoretical antitrust mumbo jumbo someone can come up with to justify it, but come on. All it did was ruin a really fun idea.


In this case I agree with you. But what this law is trying to prevent is from anybody else starting a lottery (which is done by the state). They basically passed this law so that they could have a monopoly on lotteries.
Rating: 25 Votes
Avatar
Hastings101
78 months ago
Too bad, that would have been hilarious to see.
Rating: 24 Votes
Avatar
levitynyc
78 months ago
I never thought my life could be
Anything but catastrophe
But suddenly I begin to see
A bit of good luck for me

Cause I've got a golden ticket
I've got a golden twinkle in my eye
Rating: 22 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]