In the early years of Macintosh, Apple was significantly influenced by key figures such as Steve Jobs, whose vision and leadership shaped the company's direction. His innovative approach transformed the personal computing landscape. Jobs pushed for creativity and excellence, establishing a culture that would carry through substantial advancements in technology.

On the other hand, Michael Eisner, the dynamic CEO of Disney during that era, played a pivotal role in the entertainment industry, bringing a hard-driving and ambitious strategy to the company. His leadership style and focus on creative content made Disney a leader in film and television, parallel to the innovations happening at Apple, as chronicled in Walter Isaacson's book about Steve Jobs.