It’s hard to picture the modern world without Apple. The company’s devices are more than just tools—they’ve become part of everyday life, influencing how people communicate, work, and experience the digital world. But behind the sleek iPhones and minimalist Mac Books lies a story that began in the simplest way: with two friends in a garage.
In 1976, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, both in their early twenties, began building computers in Jobs’ parents’ garage in Los Altos, California. Along with a lesser-known third co-founder, Ronald Wayne, they launched Apple Computer Inc. Their first product, the Apple I, was a basic circuit board without even a keyboard or screen. Despite its simplicity, it represented something radical—bringing computing power into people’s homes. They managed to sell 50 units to a local shop, and the vision for personal technology was officially in motion.
The breakthrough came with the Apple II in 1977. Unlike the Apple I, this machine had color graphics, a plastic casing, and was ready for the average user. It became one of the first mass-market personal computers and pushed Apple into the mainstream. When the company went public in 1980, it created hundreds of millionaires overnight—a sign of just how quickly things had taken off.
As Apple’s ambitions grew, so did internal tensions. Steve Jobs wanted to create a computer that was not just powerful, but elegant and user-friendly. This vision gave birth to the Macintosh in 1984. Its launch was marked by a bold commercial during the Super Bowl, positioning the Mac as a revolution against conformity. The computer introduced a graphical interface and mouse—concepts that were futuristic at the time. However, despite its innovation, the Macintosh didn’t sell as expected, and conflicts within the company escalated. Jobs clashed with CEO John Sculley, the very man he had brought in. Eventually, Jobs was ousted in 1985, a dramatic twist for the company’s founder.
In the years that followed, Apple struggled. It continued to release Macintosh models, but innovation slowed, and its identity seemed to fade. Microsoft gained dominance with its Windows platform, and Apple’s products began to feel outdated. Efforts like the Newton, an early version of a tablet, failed to catch on. By the mid-1990s, Apple was losing money and relevance, with some analysts predicting the company wouldn’t survive.
The turning point came in 1997, when Apple acquired NeXT—the company Jobs had founded after his departure. This deal not only brought new technology but also brought Jobs back into the fold. Soon, he became CEO and began reshaping Apple from the ground up. He streamlined the product line, focused on design, and launched the famous “Think Different” campaign, which signaled a fresh start. In 1998, the colorful iMac hit the market and became a bestseller, helping Apple reclaim its cool factor.
The early 2000s brought Apple into a new era with the introduction of the iPod. Suddenly, people could carry a thousand songs in their pocket, and the device quickly became a cultural phenomenon. With iTunes and the iTunes Store, Apple revolutionized how music was bought and consumed. This user-centered approach began to define the brand.
In 2007, Apple changed everything again. It dropped “Computer” from its name and introduced the iPhone—a device that combined a phone, iPod, and internet communicator into one. Its touchscreen design and intuitive interface were unlike anything before. It didn’t just lead the smartphone market—it redefined it. A year later, the App Store turned the iPhone into a platform for developers, laying the foundation for the mobile app economy.
After Jobs passed away in 2011, many wondered how Apple would continue without his leadership. Tim Cook took over as CEO and led with a steady hand. Under Cook, Apple expanded its product lineup with the iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and more. Services like Apple Music and iCloud grew rapidly, and the company made strong commitments to privacy and sustainability.
In recent years, Apple has focused on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and spatial computing. The launch of the Apple Vision Pro in 2024 brought immersive digital experiences into everyday life. In 2025, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, its own private-by-design AI system that integrates deeply with its hardware and software, showing its commitment to protecting user data.
From a humble garage to a global tech leader worth trillions, Apple’s journey is one of bold ideas, dramatic setbacks, and remarkable comebacks. Its focus on design, user experience, and innovation continues to shape how the world interacts with technology—and its story is far from over.