Apple Computer Company Started in 1976

Apple Computer Company was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in Los Altos, California. The three partners started the company in Jobs's parents' garage with the goal of selling the Apple I, a personal computer that Wozniak had designed. This date marks the official beginning of what would become one of the world's largest technology companies.

The founding happened during a pivotal moment in computing history. Personal computers barely existed yet—most computers were room-sized machines owned by corporations and universities. Wozniak's design was revolutionary because it was small enough to fit on a desktop and affordable enough for individuals to own. Jobs recognized the business potential and pushed to turn Wozniak's invention into a product people could actually buy.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Computer Company was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne.
  • The company started in a garage in Los Altos, California, with the goal of selling the Apple I personal computer.
  • Steve Wozniak designed the Apple I computer, while Steve Jobs handled business and marketing decisions.
  • Ronald Wayne, the third co-founder, left the company after 12 days and sold his share back to Jobs and Wozniak.

The Three Co-Founders and Their Roles

Steve Wozniak was the engineer who designed the Apple I computer. He had been working on the design for months before the company was officially founded, teaching himself electronics and programming. Wozniak's technical skill made the Apple I possible—he created a working computer from scratch using off-the-shelf parts and his own ingenuity.

Steve Jobs was the business-minded co-founder who saw the commercial opportunity. Jobs convinced Wozniak that they should start a company to sell the computers rather than just give away the designs. Jobs handled sales, marketing, and the overall direction of the company from the beginning. He was 21 years old when Apple was founded.

Ronald Wayne was the third co-founder, though his role is often overlooked. Wayne contributed to the company's early organization and wrote the original Apple Computer Company partnership agreement. However, he left the partnership after just 12 days, selling his share back to Jobs and Wozniak for $800. Wayne later said he was uncomfortable with the risk involved in starting a new company.

Why 1976 Mattered for Personal Computing

The year 1976 was significant because personal computers were still a novelty. The Apple I was not the first personal computer ever made, but it was one of the first to be sold as a complete, ready-to-use machine. Earlier computers required buyers to assemble parts themselves or had limited usefulness for everyday tasks.

The Apple I sold for $666.66, which was expensive for the time but far cheaper than commercial computers. The first 50 units were sold to a local computer store called The Byte Shop, giving Apple its first real revenue. This early success showed that there was a real market for personal computers, which encouraged other companies to enter the field.

From Garage to Incorporation

Apple Computer Company remained a partnership for about a year after its founding. On January 3, 1977, the company was formally incorporated as Apple Computer, Inc., with Jobs as chairman, Wozniak as employee number one, and A.C. "Mike" Markkula Jr. as the first major investor. Markkula provided $250,000 in funding and business informed, which allowed the company to move out of the garage and into a real office.

The incorporation marked a shift from a garage startup to a legitimate business. With Markkula's investment and guidance, Apple was able to hire employees, manufacture computers in larger quantities, and develop the Apple II, which would become the company's first major commercial success.

The Apple I Computer and Early Sales

The Apple I was a circuit board with a processor, memory, and basic input and output connections. It required buyers to add their own keyboard, monitor, and power supply, which meant the total cost to get a working system was higher than the $666.66 price tag. Despite this limitation, the Apple I found an audience among hobbyists and early computer enthusiasts.

Apple sold approximately 200 units of the Apple I before discontinuing it in 1977 to focus on the Apple II. The Apple II, released in April 1977, was the first personal computer to come in a plastic case and include a keyboard and power supply built in. The Apple II became a commercial success and established Apple as a serious computer manufacturer.

How 1976 Shaped the Computer Industry

Apple's founding in 1976 happened alongside other important moments in computing history. The Commodore PET and the TRS-80 were also released in 1977, creating the first real wave of personal computers for consumers. However, Apple's early focus on user-friendly design and marketing set it apart from competitors who focused mainly on technical specifications.

The company's success inspired the personal computer boom of the 1980s and 1990s. Apple's approach—combining good engineering with attention to how people actually wanted to use computers—became a model that other companies tried to follow. The founding in 1976 was the beginning of a shift that would eventually put computers in homes and offices around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Apple Computer the first personal computer company?

No. Companies like MITS (Altair), Commodore, and others were working on personal computers around the same time. However, Apple was among the first to sell a complete, ready-to-use personal computer and was one of the first to focus on making computers accessible to non-technical users.

Why did Ronald Wayne leave Apple after 12 days?

Wayne was uncomfortable with the financial risk of starting a new company. He was also concerned about potential legal liability. He sold his share back to Jobs and Wozniak for $800, a decision he later said he regretted, as his original stake would have been worth billions.

How much did the Apple I cost when it was first sold?

The Apple I was priced at $666.66. This was expensive for 1976, but much cheaper than commercial computers of the time. Buyers still had to add their own keyboard, monitor, and power supply, so the total cost of a working system was higher.

What happened to Apple after it was founded in 1976?

Apple was incorporated in January 1977 with investor Mike Markkula's backing. The company released the Apple II in April 1977, which became a major commercial success. Apple continued to grow and eventually became one of the world's largest technology companies.