Apple has really stuck around for a while, It really has, why am I even saying this? You probably already know some stuff about the firm, or maybe even own some stuff they offer.
This is the first of three parts to the series and we’re going to be discussing the History and the start of Apple as a whole. We’re going to be talking about Steve Jobs too.
Apple as a Firm.
Apple Computers, Inc. was founded on April 1, 1976, by college dropouts Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, who had a vision of changing the way people viewed computers. Jobs and Wozniak wanted to make computers small enough for people to have them in their homes or offices. Small enough that was user-friendly. Computers were pretty big and bulky at that time. and frankly, if it wasn’t for Apple, you wouldn’t even be having the privilege of reading this on the Internet.
Let me explain to you what would happen if Apple wouldn’t have focused on portability at that time. Step-by-Step.
- They would continue to create computer technology that would be big and bulky.
- They wouldn’t work on getting this technology on to the hands of normal people.
- They wouldn’t make it accessible to everyone.
- Without realising that they could fit the tech they had into a smaller formfactor, they wouldn’t come up with iPhones.
- Without iPhone, Android wouldn’t exist.
- Without Android(cheaper devices) the majority of the entire world on the Internet wouldn’t be like it is today.
Thus, the Internet would be a lot different today if Apple didn’t take the right decision then. Which really means a lot. Imagine life without YouTube or Instagram. Not just that, life just wouldn’t be the same for you.
Jobs and Wozniak started out building their first computer, the Apple I in Jobs’ garage and sold them without a monitor, keyboard, or casing (which they decided to add on in 1977).
The Apple II revolutionized the computer industry with the introduction of the first-ever color graphics.1 Sales jumped from $7.8 million in 1978 to $117 million in 1980, the year Apple went public.
Soon Came the Macintosh, in the 1980’s, and this lineup has always continued with their computer segment since. They shortened the name to ‘Mac’ now.
Soon enough, they branched out into many other markets with products like their Printers, Mice, disk readers and also a telephone! Many other stuff except just computers.
They made a lot of technological advancements and innovated a lot to come up with the Powerbooks and iBooks. Reportedly, the first laptop formfactor of a Mac today was the PowerBook 100 from 1992.
They went on to sell Powerbooks until 2006. after which the project was scrapped and they headed on a newer direction with their MacBook lineup. These devices looked more cleaner, not necessarily faster or better.
Soon Came the iPod and the iPhone.
The iPod made music listening experience much better than what it was at that time. Their motto was “1000 songs in your pocket”.
The iPhone revolutionised Portable devices forever for the better. There was a phone and a computer in everybody’s hand now.
They went on to build more products, they made services and more devices and went on and on Jobs revamped the computers and introduced the iBook (a personal laptop). He also started branching out into mp3 players (iPod) and media player software (iTunes). This was Jobs’ best move yet. Then Microsoft and Android came along, giving them a tough competition. Although, till date no one has kicked off anyone.
Today, they have almost fulfilled the vision they had. The Dream they had envisioned. Apple stands proudly with all the products that signify their dignity and elegance. All their products are minimalist and go at high price tag. This makes them look like a luxury brand which they’re not. They are still taking many steps that will eventually make a difference, slowly and steadily.
The Guys behind it all.
These are the people who were the reason why Apple is what it is today. Jobs and Wosniak had a vision, they had a dream they knew they could make true.
Started in Jobs’ garage, Wosniak had a hand in it a lot. Although he left Jobs on 1983, he was a major reason of the immense success they would have till date, if he hadn’t given Jobs that little push, Apple wouldn’t be here.
Although facing a lot of controversy due to Jobs’ trust in people, Apple has had a lot of CEO’s over its existence Click Here to know about the past CEO’s
Back in 1985 Sculley (Past CEO) turned down an appeal from Microsoft founder Bill Gates to license its software. This decision would later come back to haunt him because Microsoft, whose Windows operating system (OS) featured a graphical interface similar to Apple’s, became their toughest competition in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s.
Not long after this decision was the turning point for the company. While computers are still an important part of Apple, its music related products (i.e. iPod and iTunes) have become the company’s most profitable sector. While Steve Jobs died October 5, 2011, Apple continues on with his legacy.
Taking over from Steve Jobs as of today, Tim Cook is known for being a calm, collected and quiet man, quite unlike the very animated style of his predecessor. Although his work style is fairly intensive to the point that he is often described as a “workaholic”.
Apple Inc. has pioneered its way through the computer industry—not once, but multiple times throughout its existence. It believes in pushing the limits of creativity in order to produce interesting and valuable products for society. After more than 30 years, it is undeniable that Apple “has had a profound impact on technology, innovating and influencing not only how we use computers but the activities for which what we use them.
Fun Fact. Steve Jobs’ company NeXT manufactured NeXT Cube, which, while way too expensive and not commercially successful, was actually used as the world’s first web server!
