Sometimes it is very funny to return to the past and remember the events of many years ago in the technical market. Exactly 22 years ago, on April 21, 1995, there were rumors that the Japanese manufacturer of photographic equipment Canon plans to partially or fully absorb Apple. This information came at a time when the American company was in decline and experienced significant financial difficulties. It was by April 21, 1995 that Apple disclosed the actual financial indicators at the time, which were very far from the expectations of Wall Street experts.

Canon and Apple never publicly commented on the fact of negotiations on a possible deal, but according to insiders, the Japanese manufacturer was ready to pay up to 54. $ 5 per share of the US company at their exchange rate of about $ 35. The total amount of the transaction could be about 6. 5 billion dollars, and for comparison, Apple's market capitalization at the current time is more than $ 700 billion.

Now, in 2017, Canon seems a very controversial candidate to buy Apple, but this company was a very large player in the technical market in the 80-90s. In particular, when Jeff Ruskin, the founder of the Macintosh project, left the company, it was Canon who took him to work, during which in 1987 was created and not become a popular computer Canon Cat. Soon after, in June 1989, Canon paid $ 100 million for 16. 67% stake in NeXT, created by Steve Jobs after leaving Apple. Subsequently, Canon provided another 10 to 20 million. Doll. In 1991 and extended the credit line of $ 55 million. Doll. USA in 1992.

Canon's interest in buying a computer manufacturer does not seem as absurd as if we were talking about the current state of the market. In addition, it was exactly 12 years ago Apple CEO Mike Spindler was looking for potential buyers of the company. There were rumors about a possible interest from IBM, Sun Microsystems, as well as Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Sony, Philips and Toshiba.

Ultimately, the deal between Apple and Canon, as well as with any other potential buyers did not take place.

In April 1995, due to the increased demand for Mac, the company's affairs went uphill and by the end of the quarter they managed to earn $ 73 million, which is four times more than in the same period a year earlier. Soon after that, Spindler left the company, and his place was taken by Gil Amelio, who had another strategy for the company's development. And by the end of 1996 Steve Jobs returned to the post of head and began to lead his offspring to the current dominant position in the market, when exactly Apple can buy almost any large company, and not vice versa.