Happy Birthday, Apple!
On April 1, 1976 -- 40 years ago today -- Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne formed Apple Computer, a company that would one day transcend computers -- changing the way we communicate, create and connect, and even reshaping the foundation of the recording industry.
(Wayne cashed out after 12 days. "I left because I didn’t feel that this new enterprise would be the working environment that I saw for myself," he wrote in 2012.)
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While it's difficult to list just 40 -- here are some of the key people, products and moments that have shaped Apple over the past 40 years.
1. Steve Jobs
He brought relentless passion andcreativity that continues to live on at Apple after his death.
2. Steve Wozniak
Known by his nickname "Woz," Wozniak was the technical brains behind Apple and built the company's earliest computer -- the Apple I -- by hand. His technical expertise coupled with Jobs' vision allowed the company to make inroads into the new personal computing market.3. The Jobs Family Home
A lot of great Silicon Valley companies started in a garage, but Wozniak said it's a myth he and Jobs conducted most of their business from Jobs' parents' garage.“The garage is a bit of a myth. It’s overblown,” Wozniak told Bloomberg BusinessWeek. “The garage represents us better than anything else, but we did no designs there. We would drive the finished products to the garage, make them work and then we’d drive them down to the store that paid us cash."
It's where the two Steves first started their business.
4. The Apple I
Apple's first computer was handmade by Woz, ran on BASIC and sold for $666.66.5. Apple II Series
These are the computers that began to put Apple in more homes. The first Apple II was introduced in 1977, offering a more user-friendly experience than its predecessor with tape-based storage and color graphics, among other upgrades. Apple continued to innovate with this line until production ceased in the early 1990s and it shifted its focus to the Mac.6. Joanna Hoffman
As an early member of Mac development team, Hoffman, who was portrayed by Kate Winslet in the "Steve Jobs" movie, worked closely with the founder. She joined him at NeXT after Jobs left Apple in 1985.7. John Sculley
The former Pepsi CEO later led Apple but had a falling out with Jobs, resulting in the board siding with Sculley and Jobs leaving the company in 1985. Sculley now lives in Palm Beach, Florida, where, according to his Twitter bio, he's a mentor, adviser, entrepreneur and investor in all things tech.8. Lisa
Officially, Lisa stood for "Local Integrated Software Architecture" but is also the name of Jobs' daughter. It has the distinction of being the first computer aimed at business users with a GUI (graphical user interface) in 1983. The downside: it cost around $10,000.9. Apple Goes Public
Apple went public in 1980 at $22 a share. It generated more capital than any IPO since the Ford Motor Company and made around 300 people instant millionaires, according to Apple Insider.10. The Macintosh
Making its debut in 1994, the "insanely great" Macintosh came equipped with a mouse and an integrated graphical user interface that wowed the audience as the Macintosh name moved across the screen. Initially released with 128K of memory, Apple later expanded it to 512K.11. 1984 Commercial
One of the most classic Super Bowl commercials ever shows a dystopian future along with an athlete who runs, swings a hammer and smashes a screen where a "Big Brother" voice had been addressing a crowd. It ends with the tagline: "On January 24th, Apple Computer will introduce the Macintosh. And you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like '1984.'12. NeXT
After leaving Apple in 1985, Jobs founded NeXT, a company dedicated to making top-of-the-line work station computers and software. Apple purchased the company in 1996 and Jobs returned as CEO.13. Tim Cook
Cook, who worked closely alongside Jobs and served as acting CEO when Jobs was on medical leave, officially took on the top job in 2011. Since then, he's led Apple through a new era of innovation, releasing the Apple Watch, the company's first wearable device, larger iPhones, Apple Pay and being a staunch public voice for the right to customer privacy.14. Jony Ive
Love your iPhone? You have Sir Jony Ive to thank for that. The Brit has led Apple's design team sine 1996.15. Phil Schiller
Apple fans have come to know Schiller for his frequent appearances on stage at launch events. He is the senior vice president of marketing, but Schiller has also played a role in product development. He's the one who came up with the spin-wheel interface on the first iPod, according to a 2012 Bloomberg profile.16. Angela Ahrendts
Ahrendts, who joined the company in May 2014 after stepping down as the CEO of British clothing brand Burberry, is Apple's senior vice president of retail and online stores and is tasked with the operation and expansion of the global retail experience.17. PowerBook
Apple ushered in the beginning of the "portable" computer revolution in 1991 with the debut of the PowerBook.18. iMac
The first iMac was introduced in 1998 with the goal to craft the ultimate experience when it comes to desktop computers.19. Apple Retail Stores
Apple opened its first two retail stores in Virginia and California in 2001.20. iPod
The portable music player debuted in October 2001 -- marking the beginning of an era that changed the way people listen to -- and soon -- purchased music.21. iTunes Store
Created in 2003, the iTunes store gave people the ability to download and play almost any song they wanted, when they wanted it. The convenience and ability to purchase by track instead of having to buy an artist's entire album at a retail store ultimately led to a shift in the way people get their music.22. iPod Shuffle
The iPod's smaller, cuter offspring was first released in 2005, offering a clip-and-go experience perfect for people wanting to listen to music on the go or while at the gym.23. MacBook
The first in Apple's family of MacBook laptop computers made its debut in 2006.24. Apple TV
The first generation of Apple TV began shipping in 2007. It's gone through several generations since then with the latest version offering integrated Siri support so users can speak commands into their remote, such as "Find the best funny movies from the '80s."25. The iPhone
Steve Jobs wasn't kidding when he called the iPhone a "revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone" when it was introduced in 2007.While other phones on the market used buttons, the first iPhone model introduced the experience of using fingers to scroll. It was also the beginning of the shift in how we exchange messages with friends, family and colleagues. The first iPhone came with Apple's visual voicemail.
26. Apple Shortens Its Name
Apple Computer Inc. dropped the "Computer" from its name in 2007."The Mac, iPod, Apple TV and iPhone. Only one of those is a computer. So we’re changing the name," Jobs reportedly said at the time.
27. App Store
Apple's App Store opened for business in 2008 and has since become an economic juggernaut, bringing in nearly $40 billion for developers since it first began, according to data Apple released in January."Apple is now responsible for creating and supporting 1.9 million jobs in the U.S. alone. Nearly three-quarters of those jobs -- over 1.4 million -- are attributable to the community of app creators, software engineers and entrepreneurs building apps for iOS, as well as non-IT jobs supported directly and indirectly through the app economy," the company said.
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