The History of Apple Computer Company
When thinking about purchasing a computer, most people consider Microsoft to be the only choice. Apple's Macintosh computers have been around for twenty years and are the competition of which few people are aware. Despite trouble with Microsoft in the mid 90's, Apple and their Macintosh remain a powerful competitor to Microsoft's Windows based systems. In their thirty years of existence, Apple has overcome many hurdles and is still one of the top-selling computer companies.
In 1975, Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, began work on the Apple I. Little did he know that it was the precursor to one of the most successful computer series. After a year of hard work, in March of 1976, he submitted his Apple I to his employer at the time, Hewlett Packard (Sanford). Unfortunately for him, Hewlett Packard rejected this $800 computer, but Wozniak was not about to quit (Sanford).
The original "Bondi Blue" iMac G3 was introduced i...
Apple Sticker
Apple StickerOn April 1, 1976, the Apple Computer Company was founded. Despite the Apple I's early introduction, the Apple Computer Company did not take off until the release of the Apple II (Sanford). Although the Apple II was wildly successful, its fame ended quickly (Computer). IBM released their PC (personal computer) in 1981 (Computer). It quickly began to dominate the computer industry (Computer). Later in 1981, due to competition, Apple ran into serious financial trouble (Sanford). Apple had to lay off 40 employees, and Wozniak was injured in a plane crash (Sanford).
Apple then decided to team up with a foundling company called Microsoft to make software for their latest computer, the Macintosh. Powered by the 68000 series processors, the first Macintoshs would later revolutionize the way people used computers upon its release (Parker 16). The IBM PCs at that time had to literally be told what to do...
The History of Apple and it's Macintosh Computer
The author seems to be writing from a Mac biased perspective, rather than an unslanted historical view. There were many failures and mis-steps on Apple's bumpy journey to PC peerdom, not the least of which was the $100 million loan from Microsoft to Apple to help shore up its sagging cash flow.
Beyond that, though, the author has captured a little of how exciting those times were from a Mac point of view. His enthusiasm mirrors that of Mac users everywhere.
Worthy of mention, as a contribution to the success of the Mac as a product line, should be Adobe's suite of desktop publishing software. PageMaker, Photo Shop Illustrator and associated programs gave rise to a Mac dominated graphic design industry that in turn spelled doom for high ticket dedicated typography machinery such as the Compugraphic, and other wet immersion style systems. Combined with the advent of laser printer technology, which in turn doomed impact/ribbon typesetting, the Mac dominated and to a large degree still does dominate most phases of what the printing industry calls "Pre-press." Seldom will there be a PC dependent ad agency, magazine (or other) publisher and when you find one, a Mac and peripherals will likely stand between it and the final printing press.
These are important points when considering the impact of the Mac on 20th Century computing as well as it's future place as a PC competitor.
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