Apple And Its Major Milestones Through The Years

Apple, the technological revolution that changed the world of smartphones, reached its 1 trillion dollars mark early yesterday. Monumental in idea, thought and creativity, Apple is a true ground breaker in more ways than one can imagine, with the trillion dollar valuation validating its success. The phone has been a part of several major product launches and with each new launch, the company grows stronger. Taking stock of the very many challenges Apple faced through the years, here is a timeline of all the products launched by this revolution.

1976

This was the day when history was created. Apple Computer Company was founded in a garage by Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne in Jobs’s garage! Less than a year later, Wayne sells 10% of his stake for $ 800.

1976

Apple I, the first ever computer to be made by Apple Computer, becomes the first ever system to come without a keyboard. Little more than just a circuit board, the computer was hand made by Wozniak.

1997 

Post the moderate success of the first ever Apple computer, Jobs launched the Apple 2 at a computer fair. This particular computer created the foundation for the floppy drive.

1984

Apple launches the first ever Macintosh computer, paving the path for Apple’s “Think Different” era.

1985

Despite the Macintosh’s initial success, the product sales dropped drastically. In light of the failure, Jobs has an out and out war with Chief Executive Officer, Sculley. The result of the war? Jobs is fired, leading him to start the one and only competitor of the Macintosh, NEXT.

1993

Apple’s ill fated Newton tabled faced severe criticism. In fact, the moment it was launched, it faced so much criticism that it was ridiculed even on The Simpsons! Sculley was removed as the CEO and was replaced by Gil Amelio in the year 1996. Amelio buys NEXT from Jobs and invites him back to Apple.

1997 

The moment Jobs returned to Apple, he worked with the graphics team to launch the iMac in 1997! With strong influences from Jony Ive, the first Mac was a huge success!

2001 

The first iPod was announced in the year 2001. With major influences from the iMac, the iPod promised storage space for 1,000 songs with a battery life lasting for longer than 24 hours!

2003 

With Jobs, Apple jumped by leaps and bounds. In the year 2003, Apple launched the Power Mac G5. At that time, it  was touted as the fastest computer ever built.

2006

Apple dumped PowerPC processors for the faster, more energy efficient x86 chips from Intel in 2006. The iBook, PowerBook and Power Mac were out, replaced by the MacBook (pictured), the MacBook Pro and Mac Pro, which still form the basis for Apple’s computers today. The iMac survived with just its chips changed over in its now familiar thin, flatscreen design.

2008 

The year 2008 was the age of revolution and change for Apple. The company invented an entirely new range of computeres called “Ultrabooks” in partnership with Intel. Even though the first MacBgook in the series was slow, the Ultrabooks paved the road for a bright new future for Apple.

2010

Remember the 1993 Newton Tablet that failed miserably? Apple introduced the iPad in the year 2010, keeping in tune with the Newton’s line. The iPad was supposed to be a precursor to the iPhone but due to lack of enough research, the iPad failed to see the light of the day.

2011

After a long battle with pancreatic cancer, Apple’s founder and driving force, Steve Jobs, died at the age of 56. It was a turning point for the company. Tim Cook, the former head of operations and interim CEO of Apple, took over as Jobs stood down six weeks before he died.

2015 

Progressing from the world of phones and tablets, Apple launched the Apple Watch. Soon after its release, the Watch became the most popular watch in recent history, outselling its rivals from Samsung, LG, Sony and Pebble.

2018 

Close to 45 years after its inception, Apple becomes the first company in the world to reach the trillion dollar valuation, making it the highest market company at the moment. Going from near bankruptcy to the forerunner of innovation and invention, Apple certainly has come a long way. If you think we missed out anything about this company’s journey, comment and let us know!