Apple was Born: Jan 3, 1977
TODAY IN HISTORY
On January 3rd, 1977, Apple was incorporated as a company by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Apple’s rise and fall before 1997 is a compelling story of innovation, internal conflict, and strategic pivots.
The trio started out in Jobs' garage, where Wozniak built the Apple I computer. The machine, with its simple design and affordable price, gained attention and laid the groundwork for Apple’s early success. The release of the Apple II later in 1977 was a monumental step forward. It was one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputers and solidified Apple’s place in the burgeoning personal computer market. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Apple continued to grow, with its products becoming household names.
In 1984, Apple launched the Macintosh, a revolutionary product that set the standard for user-friendly personal computers with its graphical user interface and mouse. Despite its innovative design, the Macintosh struggled in the market, primarily due to its high price and limited software availability. Internal strife within Apple began to escalate, and by 1985, Steve Jobs was ousted from the company in a boardroom coup led by then-CEO John Sculley. This marked the beginning of a turbulent period for Apple.
Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Apple faced numerous challenges. The company tried to diversify its product line, but many of these ventures were unsuccessful. The Newton, an early attempt at a personal digital assistant, failed to capture the market. Apple's fragmented product lines and lack of clear direction led to declining market share and financial losses. The competition from other tech giants, such as Microsoft and IBM, further eroded Apple's position.
In 1996, Apple made a strategic move to acquire NeXT, the company founded by Steve Jobs after he left Apple. This acquisition was crucial for two reasons: it brought Steve Jobs back into the fold, and it provided Apple with a strong technological foundation, including the NeXTSTEP operating system, which would later evolve into macOS. Apple's financial situation was dire by this time, with dwindling market share and mounting losses.
When Steve Jobs returned in 1997, he initiated a series of drastic changes. He streamlined Apple's product line, focusing on core products, and forged a partnership with Microsoft to ensure Apple's survival. These actions, combined with Jobs' visionary leadership, laid the groundwork for Apple's eventual resurgence. The company's fortunes turned around with the launch of the iMac in 1998, setting the stage for the unprecedented success Apple would experience in the following decades. Today, Apple is continuing rewriting the tech history with its innovations.