Timeline of Apple

1976-1980: APPLE’S EARLY YEARS

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

—Steve Jobs

1976: Founding

April: Apple Computer founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. Apple I prototype completed.
June: The Apple I computer sold to Byte Shop computer store for $666.66. First Apple I sold to Paul Terrell of Byte Shop for $666.66.
August: Apple moves into its first office on Stevens Creek Blvd.
September: Apple I added to Sears Business Catalog for $595.
November: Apple I production moved from Job’s garage to a larger facility.

1977: Apple II

January: First single-board Apple II prototype completed.
February: Mike Markkula invests $92,000 and draws up a business plan.
May: First Japanese Apple II users group formed.
June: Apple II computer unveiled at West Coast Computer Faire.
July: Apple II production begins in Cupertino, California.
August: Apple II featured on the cover of influential Byte magazine.
September: Apple II starts shipping, sells thousands of units in the first year.
October: Apple expands into a 7,624 sq ft office at 10260 Bandley Dr.
December: Apple Japan established to handle Far East distribution.

1978: Operational Expansion

February: Disk II floppy drive add-on introduced for Apple II.
April: Apple begins manufacturing in Ireland to expand overseas.
June: Apple begins national advertising campaign for Apple II.
August: Tax exempt stock deal helps start Apple employee stock plan.
October: New automated Apple II production line operational.
December: Apple II Plus with more memory and features released.

1979: Growth

February: Apple exhibits at 1st national computer show, creating buzz.
May: Software contracts signed to bundle VisiCalc with Apple II.
July: New order system activated to manage booming Apple II demand.
August: Software firm VisiCorp releases VisiCalc spreadsheet app for Apple II.
September: Apple II circuit boards now made in Singapore and Ireland.
November: Apple offices span 7 buildings in Cupertino to house growth.
December: Jobs and team visit Xerox PARC, inspiring GUI design.

1980: IPO of Apple

January: Apple retail store opens on West Coast run by Paul Turnbull.
February: Apple exhibits at 1st national computer show, creating buzz.
May: Software contracts signed to bundle VisiCalc with Apple II.
July: New order system activated to manage booming Apple II demand.
December: Apple goes public, creating over 300 millionaires overnight.

1981-1985: EARLY SUCCESSES

The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” — Steve Jobs

1981: Apple III Failure

January: Apple III discontinued after disappointing sales and issues.
September: First IBM PC released, rivalry begins.

1982: Stock Gains

February: Apple’s IPO biggest since Ford.
June: Apple III re-launched to try fixing issues.

1983: John Sculley

January: Lisa computer launched with GUI, but high price and limited software.
April: Former Pepsi CEO John Sculley becomes Apple CEO.

1984: Super Bowl XVIII Comercial

January: Iconic “1984” Macintosh commercial during Super Bowl XVIII.
April: Apple IIc provides compact Apple II with new design.
September: First Macintosh upgrades release fixes issues.
November: Macintosh Office suite announced but delayed by bugs.

1985: Steve Jobs Resigns

January: Jobs and Wozniak awarded the National Medal of Technology.
April: Microsoft invests $150 million into Apple amid turmoil.
May: John Sculley reorganizes. Jobs is kicked off Lisa/Mac teams.
September: Jobs resigns from Apple. He founds NeXT Computer.
December: Microsoft reveals Windows 1.0 to rival Mac GUI.

1986-1996: DECLINE AND STRUGGLES

“Stay hungry, stay foolish.”

—Steve Jobs

1986: PowerBook

February: Mac Plus released with more memory and SCSI support.
March: Macworld Expo becomes Apple’s big annual conference.
September: Apple Programmers and Developers Association formed.
December: PowerBook prototypes with proto touch screens made.

1987: Logistical Expansion

February: Mac II released, expands modular expandability.
March: AppleShare network server software allows file sharing.
July: First Apple distribution center opens in the Netherlands.
November: Apple headquarters expands in Cupertino again.

1988: Microsoft Lawsuit

September: Apple sues Microsoft and HP for GUI copyright issues.

1990: Upgrades

June: System 7 OS announced with major upgrades to Mac OS.
October: New Macs released cheaper Classic, LC, and IIsi models.

1991: PowerBook Released

March 1991: PowerBook 100 unveiled as early laptop success.
May 1991: Apple allies with IBM and Motorola on PowerPC chips.
October 1991: First 7 retail stores open in the US to sell Macs.

1992: John Sculley Resignation

March: Macs reaching 5% global PC market share yearly.
July: Apple alliance creates advanced CHRP platform specs.
October: John Sculley resigns. Michael Spindler becomes the new CEO.

1994: Mac Line Expanded

February 1994: Power Macintosh line introduced with PowerPC.
September 1994: Apple allows Mac cloning aiming for growth.

1996: Steve Jobs Returns

March: CEO Michael Spindler replaced with Gil Amelio.
November: Apple acquires NeXT. Jobs returns to Apple.
December: Apple’s market share falls below 4%.

1997-2011: RECOVERY & DOMINATION

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

—Steve Jobs

1997: iMac

May: Steve Jobs becomes interim CEO of Apple.
August: Microsoft invests $150 million in Apple.
November: Apple Online Store launched for direct sales.
May: Successful iMac introduced, leads Apple’s comeback.
Launch of the Think Different campaign and slogan

1999: iBook

January: iBook consumer laptop unveiled.
October: iMovie software launched for digital video editing.

2001: iPod

May: Two Apple Retail Stores opened in VA and CA.
October: iPod MP3 player introduced, revolutionary success.

2004: iPod Line Expansion

January 2004: iPod mini and iPod shuffle introduced.

2005: Intel Partnership

January: MacWorld keynote announces transition to Intel chips.
September: Apple switches to using Intel processors.

2007: iPhone

January: iPhone unveiled and launched, disrupting industry.
June: Apple TV introduced for video streaming.

2008: App Store

July: App Store ecosystem launched for iOS apps.
October: MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops redesigned.

2010: iPad

January: iPad tablet introduced, kicking off the post-PC era.
June: iPhone 4 launched to record sales numbers.

2011: Steve Jobs Dies

January: Jobs takes medical leave. Tim Cook steps in.
August: Jobs resigns as CEO. Remains as chairman.
October: Jobs passes away after resigning as CEO. Tim Cook officially becomes the new CEO of Apple.

2012-PRESENT: TIM COOK ERA

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

—Steve Jobs

2012: iPod Mini

September: iPhone 5 released with larger 4” display.
October: iPad Mini announced as smaller tablet.

2013: iOS 7

June 2013: iOS 7 announced as major software redesign.

2014: Apple Watch

September: Apple Watch announced, released in 2015.
September: Apple Pay mobile payments announced.

2017: iPhone X

September: iPhone X with edge-to-edge display.
November: iPhone X uses facial recognition.

2018: $1 Trillion

October: Apple leads US company value at $1 trillion.

2019: Camera Upgrades

September: iPhone 11 Pro introduces triple camera.

2020: M1 Chips

June: Transition announced from Intel to Apple silicon.
November: First Macs released with M1 Apple chips.

2021: AirTag

April: AirTag trackers and purple iPhone 12 unveiled.
June: Podcast Subscriptions and Apple Privacy features.

2022: iPhone 14

September: iPhone 14 and new Apple Watches released.

2023: Vision Pro

June: Vision Pro announced and self-driving car plans.