Apple was founded by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs in the 70s. They launched the company of April Fools’ Day in 1976. Earlier, Wozniak and Jobs worked for Hewlett-Packard and Atari. Working as hobbyists, they created the first Apple I and presented it at the Homebrew Computer Club. Subsequently, they started selling it as a computer kit. The Apple I sold for $666.66.
Apple incorporated in 1977. After its incorporation, Apple received funding from Mike Markkula. The same year, Apple launched the Apple II. This computer had an open architecture and color graphics. Due to these features, it was way ahead of its competitors such as the TRS-80. It also had a 5 1/4 inch floppy disk.
During the late 1970s, Apple grew very fast and in 1980, Apple III was launched. By this time, Apple came into direct competition with Microsoft and IBM who had the major share of the market.
Steve Jobs tools inspiration from Xerox and started working on Apple Lisa in 1978. This computer was designed to have a graphical user interface. Jobs was convinced that GUI-based computers would come into widespread use in the future. Subsequently, Apple Lisa became the first computer to have a GUI that sold to the general public.
Despite the Lisa’s many plus points, it was a failure. This was due to limited software availability and its high price. In 1984, the Apple Macintosh was launched. It was one of best computers to be ever created. It was an instant success and it ensured Apple’s position in the market.
In 1985, Steve Jobs was fired from his own company during a power struggle. Jobs started another company called NeXT Inc.
Apple’s next product was the Macintosh Portable. This computer was a failure as it was not received by the public. Despite its failure, the line was developed further and in 1991, the PowerBook was launched. This was a commercial success. Apple also launched System 7, an upgraded operating that had many new features like networking support and color graphics. Until 2001, all the OS versions released by Apple were based on System 7.
In the later years, Apple stagnated and lost market share. None of its products were innovative. And so in 1997, Steve Jobs was brought back. After his triumphant return, he took control of the company and brought it back to the limelight.
In 2001, Apple introduced the iPod. It became a commercial success. Two years later, Apple started the iTunes store. This was also a commercial success and thus brought Apple back to the arena. Subsequently, Apple switched to Intel chips.
In 2007, Apple launched the iPhone. The iPhone was a great success too.