How Steve Jobs and Wozniak built the first Apple computer

How Steve Jobs and Wozniak Built the First Apple Computer

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, two young innovators with a passion for technology, revolutionized the computing world by creating the first Apple computer. Their journey began in the 1970s, an era when computers were massive, expensive, and primarily used by businesses and institutions. Jobs and Wozniak envisioned something different—affordable, personal computers that anyone could use. Their partnership and ingenuity led to the creation of the Apple I, which laid the foundation for one of the most valuable technology companies in history.

The Beginning: A Shared Vision

Steve Wozniak, an electronics genius, had been building and designing computers for fun since his teenage years. Meanwhile, Steve Jobs, known for his business acumen and visionary approach, recognized the potential in Wozniak’s creations. The two met in 1971 through a mutual friend and bonded over their love for technology and pranks.

Wozniak had been deeply influenced by his work at Hewlett-Packard (HP), where he learned about circuit design and microprocessors. He was also inspired by the Homebrew Computer Club, a group of tech enthusiasts who met to share ideas about personal computing. It was at one of these meetings in 1975 that Wozniak realized he could design a more affordable and efficient computer than what was currently available.

Building the Apple I

Wozniak’s first major breakthrough came when he developed a simple yet powerful computer using fewer components than other machines at the time. Unlike existing computers, which required users to assemble different parts, Wozniak designed an all-in-one circuit board that significantly reduced the complexity of building a computer.

He built a prototype in 1976, using the newly released MOS 6502 microprocessor, which was much cheaper than alternatives like the Intel 8080. The system featured a keyboard interface and could connect to a television screen—making it more accessible than other hobbyist computers that required separate output devices.

While Wozniak was refining the technical aspects, Jobs saw the business potential. He suggested selling the computer as a pre-assembled board, eliminating the need for users to manually wire circuits. This was a groundbreaking idea, as most computers of that era were either kits or required significant expertise to operate.

Funding and the Garage Startup

Jobs and Wozniak had little money to fund their project, so they made sacrifices to get started. Jobs sold his Volkswagen van, and Wozniak sold his HP-65 calculator to raise about $1,300. They set up their workspace in Jobs’ family garage in Los Altos, California, a place that would become legendary in tech history.

The duo approached Paul Terrell, owner of the Byte Shop, one of the first personal computer stores. Terrell was impressed by their work but insisted they deliver fully assembled computers rather than kits. This deal provided them with their first major order of 50 Apple I computers, priced at $500 each.

Features of the Apple I

The Apple I was a revolutionary product in many ways:

• Single Circuit Board: Unlike other computers that required multiple components, the Apple I was a compact, pre-assembled motherboard.
• Keyboard Interface: Users could type commands directly, making it more user-friendly than competitors.
• Monitor Connection: It could display text on a television screen, which made computing more accessible.
• Low Cost: Priced at $666.66 (Wozniak’s decision because he liked repeating numbers), it was significantly cheaper than other personal computers.

While the Apple I lacked a power supply, case, or keyboard (users had to provide their own), it was still a significant leap forward in personal computing.

The Birth of Apple Computer, Inc.

Encouraged by their success, Jobs and Wozniak officially founded Apple Computer, Inc. on April 1, 1976, alongside their third partner, Ronald Wayne. Wayne, however, left the company just 12 days later, selling his 10% stake for $800—a decision he would later regret as Apple grew into a multibillion-dollar corporation.

Jobs was eager to take Apple beyond hobbyist markets, recognizing that personal computers could be sold to mainstream consumers and businesses. He pushed for the development of the Apple II, which would be a fully packaged, plug-and-play computer with color graphics and expandability.

Legacy of the Apple I

Though only about 200 Apple I units were ever produced, the machine’s impact was profound. It proved that personal computers could be more than just a niche product for engineers and hobbyists.

By 1977, with the launch of the Apple II, Apple Computer Inc. had gained massive attention, becoming one of the pioneers of the personal computing revolution. Wozniak’s technical brilliance and Jobs’ business acumen had transformed a garage project into a globally influential company.

Today, surviving Apple I computers are rare collector’s items, selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions. More importantly, the story of Jobs and Wozniak’s early days serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs and innovators worldwide.

Their vision, passion, and willingness to challenge the status quo not only led to the creation of the first Apple computer but also set the stage for a company that would redefine technology for generations.