April 1, 1976: Apple Is Born

by Chris Seibold Apr 01, 2011

When Steve Wozniak finished developing the Apple I he planned to give away the schematics for free. Steve Jobs persuaded Woz that they could sell the plans to someone. The “someone” they had in mind was either Atari, where Jobs worked, or Hewlett-Packard where Woz worked. Both companies declined.

Refusing to be bowed by the rejection the two decided, at Jobs' urging, to go it alone. To raise capital Jobs sold his van and Woz sold his calculator. The sale of the treasured goods netted proceeds of $1,750. Steve Jobs came up with the name Apple Computer and the company was born.

Soon a problem arose. With each Steve in control of exactly 50% of the company, there would be no way to breach an impasse if one develop between the co-owners. To solve this problem they recruited Ron Wayne, head draftsman at Atari, to join Apple as a cofounder and 10% owner. Not only did Ron's presence provide a tie-breaker in case one was needed, he also drew Apple's original (and underappreciated) logo. The three filed the necessary papers to form a partnership on April 1, 1976.

Comments

  • Happy birthday Apple. PS Thanks guys, you make a hell of machines!!!!

    GreKom had this to say on Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 2
  • Wonder what happened to that calculator. Would make an ultimate collector’s item.

    Thank you Steve & Steve.

    Bad Beaver had this to say on Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 371
  • Happy Birthday Apple.

    Is An Honour to be your customer.

    S-E-P-T-A had this to say on Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 14
  • Happy Birthday Apple.

    Is An Honour to be on of your customers. You make a very great machine

    S-E-P-T-A had this to say on Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 14
  • it would be sorta confusing if the secretary asked for steve… they would have to say 50% steve or 40% steve… that would just be lesbo and gay.

    iknowtheanswer had this to say on Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 4
  • i would pay a bagillion dollars for that van.

    iknowtheanswer had this to say on Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 4
  • We love Apple’s, happy birthday!

    pozycjonowanie stron had this to say on May 02, 2007 Posts: 2
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