Steve Jobs was planning to create a real-life Willy Wonka tour of the Apple facilities
The new biography Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success contains a lot of interesting new facts about computer pioneer Steve Jobs. Sure, you may already know that the FBI had a massive file on the Apple CEO detailing his sub-par college grades and past use of LSD. But we're willing to guess you didn't know this (though perhaps by virtue of the LSD use, you could have inferred it): Steve Jobs was planning on giving away a Willy Wonka-style tour of the Apple facilities to whomever found a golden ticket inside the 1,000,000th iMac sold.
According to author Ken Segall, the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory idea was no passing fancy — it was seriously considered as a way to celebrate and draw attention to Apple's success. Jobs even went as far as to create a mockup of the golden ticket that would be included in the millionth iMac. According to the book, "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."
The idea of the incredibly creative Steve Jobs waltzing around a factory, singing tunes as naughty children are permanently scarred for minor misdeeds, indeed catches our fancy. Sadly though, the contest was not meant to be. Not only were Apple marketing gurus against the promotion, but California state law prohibits contests that require a purchase to enter. Thus, one of the most ridiculous (and simultaneously awesome) ideas Apple ever had was abandoned quicker than the design for the iPad mini.
(Source: news.yahoo.com)
