Apple Computer, Inc. was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in a California garage, becoming one of the most influential companies in computing history. From the groundbreaking Apple II to the revolutionary Macintosh, Apple established the template for user-friendly personal computing and demonstrated that computers could be both powerful and accessible.
The Garage Startup (1976-1977)
Founding Vision
Apple emerged from the Homebrew Computer Club, where Steve Wozniak had been developing innovative computer designs as a hobby. Steve Jobs recognised the commercial potential of Wozniak’s work and convinced him to start a company together.
The Original Partnership:
- Steve Wozniak: Technical genius and primary designer
- Steve Jobs: Visionary marketer and business strategist
- Ronald Wayne: Early partner who sold his stake for $800 (later worth billions)
The Apple I
The Apple I, released in 1976, was Apple’s first product:
- Bare circuit board: Sold without case, keyboard, or monitor
- 6502 processor: Using MOS Technology’s revolutionary chip
- $666.66 price: Marketed to electronics hobbyists
- Limited production: About 200 units made
Whilst the Apple I was primarily for enthusiasts, it established Apple’s reputation for quality engineering and innovative design.
The Personal Computer Revolution
Apple II: The Breakthrough (1977)
The Apple II, launched in 1977, transformed Apple from a garage startup into a major corporation:
Revolutionary Features:
- Integrated design: Complete computer ready to use out of the box
- Colour graphics: Advanced graphics capabilities for its time
- Expansion slots: Modular design allowing user customisation
- Plastic case: Attractive, consumer-friendly appearance
- Built-in BASIC: Easy programming environment
Technical Innovation:
- 6502 processor: Wozniak’s elegant motherboard design
- 48KB RAM: Substantial memory for home computing
- Colour output: NTSC colour video generation
- Sound capabilities: Built-in speaker and sound generation
- Disk II drive: Floppy disk storage system
Market Impact:
- Best-selling computer: Dominated home computer market through early 1980s
- Business applications: VisiCalc spreadsheet made it essential for businesses
- Educational adoption: Widespread use in schools
- Software ecosystem: Thousands of programs and games
The Business Boom
The Apple II’s success transformed Apple into a major corporation:
- IPO (1980): Largest public offering in history at the time
- Revenue growth: From garage startup to billion-dollar company
- Market leadership: Dominant position in personal computing
- Cultural impact: Computing moved from hobbyist to mainstream
The Macintosh Revolution (1984)
Learning from Xerox
Apple’s visit to Xerox PARC in 1979 exposed the team to revolutionary concepts:
- Graphical user interface: Windows, icons, menus, pointers
- Mouse control: Direct manipulation of on-screen objects
- Desktop metaphor: Familiar office concepts in software
- WYSIWYG editing: What you see is what you get
Lisa: The Expensive Pioneer (1983)
The Apple Lisa introduced GUI computing but was commercially unsuccessful:
- Advanced features: Sophisticated graphical interface and multitasking
- High price: $9,995 made it inaccessible to most users
- Limited software: Small application library
- Market lesson: Demonstrated need for affordable GUI computing
Macintosh: Computers for Everyone
The Macintosh, launched on 24th January 1984, democratised graphical computing:
Technical Achievement:
- 68000 processor: Motorola’s powerful 16/32-bit CPU
- 128KB RAM: Initially limited but expandable
- Built-in display: 9-inch black and white screen
- 3.5” floppy: Sony’s compact disk format
- Mouse included: Standard graphical interface control
Design Philosophy:
- User-friendly: Intuitive interface requiring minimal training
- All-in-one: Integrated design inspired by Apple II
- Affordable GUI: Graphical computing at consumer prices
- Software bundled: MacPaint and MacWrite included
Cultural Impact:
- “1984” commercial: Legendary Super Bowl advertisement
- Desktop publishing: Aldus PageMaker revolutionised publishing
- Creative industries: Became standard in design and media
- Interface standards: Established GUI conventions still used today
Technical Philosophy and Innovation
Design Principles
Apple established key principles that influenced the entire industry:
User-Centric Design:
- Simplicity: Complex technology made simple to use
- Elegance: Beautiful, well-crafted products
- Integration: Hardware and software designed together
- Accessibility: Computing for everyone, not just experts
Engineering Excellence:
- Quality construction: Premium materials and build quality
- Innovative solutions: Creative approaches to technical challenges
- Performance optimisation: Efficient use of available resources
- Reliability: Computers that worked consistently
Manufacturing Innovation
Apple pioneered new approaches to computer manufacturing:
- Automated assembly: Reducing costs through automation
- Quality control: Rigorous testing and validation
- Supply chain: Efficient component sourcing and logistics
- Design for manufacturing: Products optimised for production
Industry Impact and Legacy
Democratising Computing
Apple’s greatest achievement was making computers accessible to ordinary people:
Market Expansion:
- Home computing: Computers as consumer appliances
- Business adoption: Small businesses embracing personal computers
- Educational use: Computers becoming educational tools
- Creative applications: New possibilities in art, music, and design
Technical Standards:
- GUI interfaces: Establishing graphical computing as standard
- Mouse control: Making direct manipulation universal
- 3.5” disks: Influencing storage standards
- All-in-one design: Integrated computer concepts
Competitive Pressure
Apple’s innovations forced the entire industry to improve:
- User interface: Other companies developing GUI systems
- Industrial design: Emphasis on attractive, well-built products
- Software quality: Higher standards for application development
- Marketing: Computers marketed to consumers, not just businesses
Educational Revolution
Apple’s commitment to education transformed learning:
- Computer literacy: Introducing students to computing
- Creative tools: Enabling new forms of expression
- Teacher training: Professional development in technology
- Accessibility: Making technology available in schools
Challenges and Evolution
The Wilderness Years (1985-1997)
After Steve Jobs left Apple in 1985, the company faced significant challenges:
- Market share loss: IBM PC compatibles dominating market
- Product confusion: Too many similar products
- Quality issues: Declining build quality and reliability
- Strategic drift: Unclear vision and direction
The Return and Renaissance
Steve Jobs’ return in 1997 marked Apple’s transformation:
- Product focus: Streamlined product line
- Design emphasis: Jonathan Ive’s revolutionary designs
- New categories: iPod, iPhone, iPad creating new markets
- Ecosystem approach: Integrated hardware, software, and services
Relevance to Code Like It’s 198x
While Apple systems aren’t featured in our programming lessons, understanding Apple’s role in computing history provides crucial context for the vintage computing era.
Historical Context
- 6502 connection: Apple II used the same processor as Commodore 64 and NES
- GUI development: Macintosh influenced all later graphical systems
- Market dynamics: Apple’s success drove competition and innovation
- User experience: Established standards for computer usability
Design Influence
- Integration philosophy: Hardware and software designed together
- User-centric approach: Making technology accessible to everyone
- Quality emphasis: Premium construction and attention to detail
- Innovation culture: Continuous technological advancement
Educational Impact
- School adoption: Apple computers in classrooms worldwide
- Programming education: BASIC programming on Apple II
- Creative applications: Tools for art, music, and design
- Technology literacy: Introducing computing to new audiences
Fun Facts
- The Apple I was originally priced at $666.66, partly because Wozniak liked repeating digits
- Ronald Wayne sold his 10% stake in Apple for $800; it would be worth over $200 billion today
- The first Apple logo showed Isaac Newton under an apple tree
- Steve Jobs was temporarily banned from the Apple campus after being fired in 1985
- The Macintosh was named after John McIntosh’s favourite apple variety
- Apple’s “1984” Super Bowl commercial was almost never aired due to board opposition
- The rainbow Apple logo was one of the first corporate logos designed for colour reproduction
Apple’s vision of computing for everyone fundamentally changed how we think about technology. From the garage startup that created the Apple II to the company that brought us the iPhone, Apple demonstrated that great design and user experience could make complex technology accessible to anyone. Their influence on computing culture, interface design, and technology adoption continues to shape how we interact with computers today.