15 Important Milestones As Apple Inc. Turns 38
April 1, 2014
Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on April 1, 1976 to develop and sell personal computers. Less than a year later, it was incorporated as Apple Computer, Inc. On Jan. 9, 2007, it was renamed as Apple Inc.
As Cupertino celebrates their 38th anniversary, we look back at 15 events that shaped the company:
April 16, 1977
The Apple II is introduced at the first West Coast Computer Faire. It includes a MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor running at 1Mhz, 4KB of RAM, and an audio cassette interface.
Dec. 12, 1980
Apple goes public at $22 per share. When it does, it generates more capital than any IPO since Ford Motor Company in 1956. Within moments, the world has 300 new millionaires.
Jan. 22, 1984
Steve Jobs and Apple introduce the “1984” commercial during Super Bowl XVIII which pits the Washington Redskins against the eventual winner, the Los Angeles Raiders.
The ad is still considered one of the best ever created.
Jan. 24, 1984
Two days after “1984” airs, Jobs introduces the world to the very first Macintosh. It becomes the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a graphical user interface.
Before the end of 1985, Jobs leaves Apple. For nearly a decade, the company is in decline.
July 9, 1997
Apple CEO Gil Amelio is ousted and Jobs returns as interim CEO. Eventually, interim would be dropped from his title.
Aug. 15, 1998
Cupertino unveils a new all-in-one computer called the iMac that was created by Jony Ive. The executive later helped create the iPhone, iPad, and next-generation Macs.
May 19, 2001
Apple opens the company’s first two retail stores in Virginia and California. By the end of 2013, that number had risen to over 400 stores worldwide.
Oct. 23, 2001
The iPod is announced, thereby rebooting the entire music industry.
April 28, 2003
The iTunes Music Store launches. Users are now able to download songs and albums legally on their computers and place them on mobile devices.
Later, books, TV shows, movies, and apps were added to the iTunes Store.
Jan. 9, 2007
Apple Computer, Inc. becomes Apple, Inc. since the company was no longer focused solely on computers.
June 29, 2007
The first iPhone goes on sale. Since then, sales for Apple’s smartphone have increased each year.
July 10, 2008
The App Store opens, offering third-party developers a way to sell their products for use on the iPhone/iPod touch, and eventually, the iPad.
April 3, 2010
The first-generation iPad is launched in the U.S. Apple would sell 500,000 units before the end of the first week.
Oct. 5, 2011
At 56, Jobs dies. In August, he had resigned as Apple CEO and was replaced by Tim Cook.
Aug. 20, 2012
Apple’s stock rises enough to make the company the largest in the world in terms of value.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we'd like to know: What was your first Apple product?
Steve Jobs and Apple introduce the “1984” commercial during Super Bowl XVIII which pits the Washington Redskins against the eventual winner, the Los Angeles Raiders.
The ad is still considered one of the best ever created.
Jan. 24, 1984
Two days after “1984” airs, Jobs introduces the world to the very first Macintosh. It becomes the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a graphical user interface.
Before the end of 1985, Jobs leaves Apple. For nearly a decade, the company is in decline.
July 9, 1997
Apple CEO Gil Amelio is ousted and Jobs returns as interim CEO. Eventually, interim would be dropped from his title.
Aug. 15, 1998
Cupertino unveils a new all-in-one computer called the iMac that was created by Jony Ive. The executive later helped create the iPhone, iPad, and next-generation Macs.
May 19, 2001
Apple opens the company’s first two retail stores in Virginia and California. By the end of 2013, that number had risen to over 400 stores worldwide.
Oct. 23, 2001
The iPod is announced, thereby rebooting the entire music industry.
April 28, 2003
The iTunes Music Store launches. Users are now able to download songs and albums legally on their computers and place them on mobile devices.
Later, books, TV shows, movies, and apps were added to the iTunes Store.
Jan. 9, 2007
Apple Computer, Inc. becomes Apple, Inc. since the company was no longer focused solely on computers.
June 29, 2007
The first iPhone goes on sale. Since then, sales for Apple’s smartphone have increased each year.
July 10, 2008
The App Store opens, offering third-party developers a way to sell their products for use on the iPhone/iPod touch, and eventually, the iPad.
April 3, 2010
The first-generation iPad is launched in the U.S. Apple would sell 500,000 units before the end of the first week.
Oct. 5, 2011
At 56, Jobs dies. In August, he had resigned as Apple CEO and was replaced by Tim Cook.
Aug. 20, 2012
Apple’s stock rises enough to make the company the largest in the world in terms of value.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we'd like to know: What was your first Apple product?
