I am doing some historical research and came across this quote from the Barron’s issue dated 2/16/98:

“With production flowing to countries with cheap labor and consumption moving from cheap, standardized goods to more customized products and services, problem-solvers and strategic thinkers are more valued than ever-and found more often in offices than in labs or on shop floors. Microsoft, to cite one example from the study, triumphed over Apple Computer not because of technological prowess but because of superior marketing and competitive maneuvering.”

A good example of how who is on top today may not be there tomorrow and the reverse.