Actually, it can be traced back to the Microsoft SoftCard. They made compilers and interpreters for CP/M, but they'd have to port them to run on Apple II's, which would be an enormous undertaking. Instead, they sold a Z-80 coprocessor for Apple II computers that allowed Apple IIs to run CP/M and, therefore, to run Microsoft software.

They tried that too with MSX, which made the front-page a couple days back.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7367544