Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak Started Apple in a Garage in 1976
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer Company on April 1, 1976, in Jobs's parents' garage in Los Altos, California. Wozniak designed and built the first Apple computer—the Apple I—largely by himself, while Jobs handled business decisions and marketing. The two had met in high school through a mutual friend and bonded over electronics and pranks. When Wozniak showed Jobs the working Apple I circuit board, Jobs saw the commercial potential and convinced Wozniak they should sell it.
The Apple I was a bare circuit board that sold for $666.66. It had no case, no power supply, and no keyboard—buyers had to add those themselves. Despite these limitations, the computer found an audience among hobbyists. The pair sold about 200 units before moving on to the Apple II, which launched in 1977 and became the first mass-produced personal computer with color graphics and sound.
Key Takeaways
- Steve Wozniak designed the technical architecture of the first Apple computers, while Steve Jobs handled business strategy and marketing.
- Apple was founded in April 1976 in a garage and began with the Apple I, a circuit board sold to hobbyists for $666.66.
- The Apple II, released in 1977, was the first personal computer to reach mainstream consumers and included color graphics and sound.
- Ronald Wayne, a third co-founder, drew the original Apple logo and wrote the first manual but sold his stake back to Jobs and Wozniak within two weeks.
- By the early 1980s, Apple had grown from a garage operation into a publicly traded company worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Ronald Wayne's Role as the Third Co-Founder
A third person, Ronald Wayne, was also listed as a co-founder. Wayne was an engineer and artist who worked with Jobs and Wozniak in the early days. He designed the original Apple logo—the detailed, multicolored apple with a bite taken out of it—and wrote the first Apple manual. Wayne also drafted the partnership agreement that formalized the company.
However, Wayne's involvement lasted only about two weeks. Worried about personal liability and uncertain about the venture's prospects, he sold his 10 percent stake back to Jobs and Wozniak for $800. He later said he regretted the decision, as that stake would have been worth billions. Wayne's brief role is often overlooked in Apple's history, but he contributed the visual identity that the company still uses today.
How Wozniak Built the First Computers
Steve Wozniak was the technical genius behind the early Apple machines. He taught himself electronics as a child and had already designed computers for Hewlett-Packard before meeting Jobs. In 1975 and 1976, Wozniak single-handedly designed the Apple I using a MOS Technology 6502 processor—a chip that cost about $25 at the time. He wrote the machine code and designed the circuit board with remarkable efficiency, using fewer chips than competitors thought possible.
Wozniak's design was elegant and affordable, which made personal computing accessible to people outside large corporations. He continued as the chief engineer for the Apple II, adding color graphics, sound, and expansion slots that let users add memory and peripherals. Wozniak's technical decisions shaped how personal computers worked for decades. He left Apple in 1985 but remained an employee and ambassador for the company.
Steve Jobs's Business and Marketing Vision
While Wozniak handled engineering, Steve Jobs focused on business strategy, design, and marketing. Jobs had no formal training in either field but had a clear vision: he believed computers should be beautiful, straightforward to use, and accessible to ordinary people. He pushed for the Apple II to have a plastic case designed by industrial designer Jerry Manock, making it look like a finished product rather than a kit.
Jobs also understood the importance of branding and presentation. He chose the name "Apple" partly because it came before "Atari" alphabetically in the phone directory, and he insisted on high-quality packaging and documentation. These decisions set Apple apart from competitors who sold bare circuit boards or clunky machines. Jobs's ability to see what customers wanted—even before they knew themselves—became his defining strength and drove Apple's growth through the late 1970s and 1980s.
The Move from Garage to Public Company
Apple's growth was rapid. In 1977, the company moved out of the garage into a real office. By 1980, Apple had become profitable and went public, raising $101 million in its initial public offering. This made Jobs and Wozniak wealthy and gave Apple the capital to expand manufacturing and research. The company hired professional managers and engineers, though Jobs remained deeply involved in product decisions.
The Apple II became the best-selling computer of the early 1980s, competing against the Commodore 64 and IBM PC. Apple's success attracted talent and investment, and the company began developing new products like the Lisa and the Macintosh. By the mid-1980s, Apple was no longer a garage startup but a major technology corporation. The original partnership between two young engineers had transformed into a global brand.
What Happened to Jobs and Wozniak After the Early Years
Steve Wozniak stepped back from day-to-day work at Apple in the early 1980s, though he remained employed by the company. He pursued other interests, including flying and philanthropy, and occasionally returned to Apple in advisory roles. Wozniak has lived a quieter life than Jobs, avoiding the spotlight and focusing on engineering and education.
Steve Jobs, by contrast, became the public face of Apple. He led the company through the Macintosh launch in 1984, which introduced the graphical user interface to mainstream consumers. Jobs was forced out of Apple in 1985 after conflicts with the board and CEO John Sculley. He founded NeXT Computer and acquired Pixar before returning to Apple in 1997, when the company was struggling. His return led to the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad—products that redefined entire categories and made Apple the world's most valuable company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Steve Jobs actually invent the computer technology in Apple?
No. Steve Wozniak designed and built the technical architecture of the Apple I and Apple II. Jobs did not have the engineering background to create the computers themselves. His contribution was recognizing the market opportunity, making business decisions, and shaping how the products looked and felt. Both roles were essential to Apple's success, but they were different.
What happened to Ronald Wayne after he left Apple?
Ronald Wayne sold his stake and left the company after two weeks. He went on to work in other fields and later expressed regret about his decision. His 10 percent stake would have been worth billions by the time of Apple's later success. Wayne's story is often cited as a cautionary tale about timing and confidence in a new venture.
Why did Steve Jobs leave Apple in 1985?
Jobs clashed with John Sculley, the CEO Apple's board had hired to manage the company's growth. Sculley and the board believed Jobs was too focused on product design and not enough on business operations. After a power struggle, Jobs was forced out. He later said the experience was painful but ultimately led him to more interesting work at NeXT and Pixar.
How much did the original Apple I computer cost?
The Apple I sold for $666.66 in 1976. This was expensive for the time—equivalent to roughly $3,500 in today's dollars—but it was far cheaper than other computers available then. The price reflected the cost of components and manufacturing, not a markup. The Apple II, released in 1977, cost $1,298 and included a keyboard, power supply, and case.
Is Steve Wozniak still involved with Apple?
Wozniak is no longer an active employee, but he remains an ambassador and advisor to the company. He occasionally appears at Apple events and speaks publicly about the company's history and his vision for technology. He has pursued other interests over the decades, including education and aviation, but maintains a connection to Apple.