Jesse Stephens

Group 1

Apple History

Apple Computers Inc. is a multinational corporation established in Cupertino,

California on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Apple

Inc., focusing on designing and manufacturing consumer electronics and software,

started producing its first computers, The Apple I, and Apple II, in the late 1970's,

which assisted in its recognition nationally.

In the mid 1980's, Apple helped catapult it's self to stardom by launching one

of the most well known television adds during the 1984 super bowl. Shortly there

after, on January 24th, 1984, Apple held its first annual shareholders meeting in

which the Macintosh Computer was presented. However, after slumping losses in

the end of 1984 and continuing in to 1985, Steve Jobs was relieved of his duties as

head of the Macintosh division by CEO John Sculley. After leaving Apple, Jobs began

his own computer and software company called NeXT Computers which was his

response to Apple Lisa. After gaining some market share, NeXT was acquired by

Apple for $429 million and Jobs was re-hired to the company he founded, and was

quickly elevated to the CEO position.(Apple Computer, 1997).

After financing a few new deals, Jobs placed Apple back on track, gaining

market share. By opening the first Apple Store in 1997, Jobs directed Apple towards

a new 'built-to-order' manufacturing concept, which placed the consumer as the

designer of their own product, allowing them to personalize their own products, and

give them the chance to have a hands on, test drive, of the latest Apple

products.(2008, History)
 Steven Wozniak, the other co founder of Apple, was a major player in the

companies rise to fame. However, left the company after a near fatal private plane

crash in February of 1981 due to retrograde amnesia. After his recovery he had no

recollection of the accident and would even forget what the current day was.

(Wozniak, 2006).

At first, Apple failed at producing digital cameras, portable CD players, and

various other video equipment, however, in recent years has seen extreme growth

in profits due to an elevated interest in its mobile music electronics such as the I-

pod and I-pod touch, as well as penetrating the Smart Phone market by producing

the I-phone(Apple History). The release of the I-pod as well as Apple Itunes

redefined the mobile media market by allowing the user to upload their entire

media collection on to a compact device. Over the past decade the Ipod has been

redesigned and improved based on consumer needs as well as pushing the

technology to now include video and picture storage. With the release of the I-

phone in 2007 Apple was now able to combine an Ipod with a cell phone. The

Iphone was again updated with its predecessor the Iphone 3g in 2008 which utilized

faster and broader wireless Internet network (Collins, 2008).

One of the major phenomena with Apple is its unique brand loyalty with its

consumers and over 28,000 employees world wide. Using innovative marketing

primarily in its commercials and consumer friendly stores Apple has made

computing fun and easy.

http://www.theapplemuseum.com/index.php

APA

- (2008). History. Retrieved October 5, 2008, from The Apple Museum Web site:
http://www.theapplemuseum.com/index.php

http://www.apple-history.com/

APA

− Stanford, Glen (2008). Iphone. Retrieved October 5, 2008, from Apple History Web site: http://www.apple-
history.com/

1. Wozniak, S. G.; Smith, G. (2006), iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon:
How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun
Doing It. W. W. Norton & Company

1. Apple Computer, Inc. Finalizes Acquisition of NeXT Software Inc., Apple Inc.,
1997-02-07. Retrieved on 2008-10-19.

1. Collins, Daniel. "3G Wireless Networks", page 136. 2000.