40 Years of Apple – Our Favorite Highlights


On this day in 1976, Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ron Wayne. Forty years – and millions of dollars – later, Apple has become one of the most reputable companies in the world (although its ratings have dropped in recent times).

As we commemorate Apple’s 40th anniversary, let’s take a look back at our favorite highlights of the company’s journey from its inception to present day. You may or may not remember these from the books, movies, and articles you’ve read, but here you go anyway.

July 1976 – Apple I

The Apple I went on sale for $666.66 ($2,772 in 2016 dollars, adjusted for inflation). Since there were only limited units, it’s now practically priceless. Although, to be accurate, a unit was sold for $200,000 last year.

April 16, 1977 – Apple II

Another baby of Woz, the Apple II was introduced.

1984 – Macintosh

Perhaps one of the most memorable things about the Macintosh is its TV commercial, 1984. Additionally, the computer was the first PC to be sold without a programming language. The revolutionary computer introduced a GUI and the use of icons was born.

90s – The Newton

apple 40th anniversary
Based on a work by Rama, CC BY-SA 2.0 fr

A flop it may have been, the Newton is recognized to be the ancestor of the PalmPilot (remember that?) and the iPhone/iPad.

October 23, 2001 – iPod

When Apple released the iPod, the company changed the way we listened to music forever. You probably loved your Sony Walkman/Discman, but the iPod just crushed it.

January 2007 – iPhone

What is there to say?

Who could forget Steve Jobs saying “Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything…An iPod, a phone, an internet mobile communicator… An iPod, a phone, an internet mobile communicator… An iPod, a phone, an internet mobile communicator… Do you get it? These are not three separated devices. This is one device, and we are calling it iPhone.”

January 2010 – iPad

Last on this list is the device that has greatly impacted the way we consume information. While the iPhone can do practically everything the iPad can – and more – the tablet has its own allure. One has to admit, though, that with the iPhone getting bigger (although now smaller again), cannibalization is happening. Still, one cannot ignore just how much the iPad has become a part of our daily lives as well.

What are your favorite Apple highlights?

Featured image: By Ed Uthman – originally posted to Flickr as Apple I Computer, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7180001


Kokou Adzo

Kokou Adzo is a stalwart in the tech journalism community, has been chronicling the ever-evolving world of Apple products and innovations for over a decade. As a Senior Author at Apple Gazette, Kokou combines a deep passion for technology with an innate ability to translate complex tech jargon into relatable insights for everyday users.

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