Investor’s Daily poll results (19 October 2026)

Thank you — your vote has been counted.

Which company invented the technology behind the modern graphical computer interface, but famously failed to capitalise on its potential?

A - Apple 29 votes (14.9%)
B - Microsoft 28 votes (14.4%)
C - Xerox 76 votes (39.2%)
D - IBM 61 votes (31.4%)

Total votes: 194

Answer: C – Xerox

Explanation: In the 1970s, researchers at Xerox PARC pioneered graphical interfaces, including windows, icons and mouse-driven computing. But Xerox never turned these breakthroughs into a mass-market success. Apple and Microsoft subsequently helped bring graphical computing to millions of people.

It’s a remarkable investment lesson: inventing the future doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll profit from it.

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