AN APPLE NEWTON MESSAGEPAD ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT NOTEBOOK. [APPLE COMPUTER, INC.]. Manuscript Engineering Development Notebook, 31 pp recto and verso, 4to (253 x 200 mm), Cupertino, California, 1994, pencil, red, blue, and black pen, with several printed charts, diagrams, graphs, contact lists, and printed email correspondence taped in or loosely inserted. Half red leather over pebbled boards, gilt, Apple Newton logo sticker on cover, business card of Sr. Engineering Tech of The Newton Group, John Avalos, taped to cover. Corners and spine ends a bit bumped, some rubbing to Newton sticker. FIRST-HAND GLIMPSE INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE APPLE NEWTON MESSAGEPAD. The Apple MessagePad, was a personal digital assistant (PDA) device and precursor to the smartphone and tablet computer, and ran on a specialized operating system, Newton OS. While development of the Newton platform began in 1987 at the behest of then CEO John Sculley (who is credited with coining the term 'personal digital assistant' despite others having been on the market since the mid-80s), the first MessagePad did not hit the market until 1993. While praised for its innovative design and concept, the main draw being handwriting recognition software that allowed users to write directly onto the device with a stylus. The Newton OS program Calligrapher would then convert the handwriting into typed text. While not always accurate, later versions of Newton OS made improvements on the precision of the handwriting recognition software. Although not a massive success, the original MessagePad sold 50,000 units in its first 3 months, and demand was strong enough for the device to continue development of improved models through its discontinuation in 1998. The present notebook is from the development of the second generation of MessagePads, the MessagePad 110, codenamed 'Lindy.' Released in March 1994 alongside the lower powered MessagePad 100 (referred to here in a printed email taped into the notebook by its codename 'Junior'), the 110 model boasted improved RAM and an updated design that included a flippable screen cover. In the notebook, John Avalos, Senior Engineering Technician of the Newton Group, records the results of Design Validation Tests and Production Validation Tests (DVTs and PVTs), as well as evaluations of various aspects of the device's functionality and design. Tipped in are several printed charts, graphs, and diagrams related to these tests, together with contact lists and email correspondence between Avalos and other Apple employees associated with the project, including Donna Auguste, Steve Capps, Patty Tulloch, and Martin Gannholm. It is a scarce primary-source artifact documenting both the development of one of Apple's most interesting products and the day-to-day processes of working at Apple. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing