Apple Is 34 April Fools Old

On April 1st, 1976, two college dropouts going by the name of Steve co-founded what was to become the most iconic company in the world - Apple. Of course, at the time, it was named Apple Computer, and it wasn’t until 2007 that the Mac maker changed its name to Apple Inc., in order to reflect the company's expansion into the consumer electronics market, in addition to its traditional focus on personal computers.

Apple began when Steve Jobs (Apple’s current CEO) and Steve Wozniak (America’s most lovable geek) decided to go into business together, fueled by their passion for electronics. They had already made the Apple I personal computer. The decision to create Apple Computer, the company, was made in a bedroom at Jobs’ parents' ranch house in Los Altos, California.

Jobs came up with the name for the company, inspired by an orchard in Oregon where he had worked with some friends. While Wozniak thought it would be fun to start their own thing, Jobs saw the opportunity to sell. Neither knew they were about to write one of the most important chapters in the history of consumer electronics.

We’re not going to bore you with the same story of how the Apple I was superseeded by the Lisa, and how that turned into the Macintosh, and so on. No. We’ll just let your mind go boggle at the comparison between Apple’s first product - the aforementioned Apple I computer - , and the company’s latest creation, the iPad (which is yet to debut).

The Apple I personal computer (1976) and the Apple iPad (2010) Credits: Apple I computer picture - rolotec.ch; iPad picture - Apple Inc. And this is just scratching the surface, as far as Apple’s achievements are concerned. The way we see it, in 34 years of existence, Apple has achieved more than any other company out there could even dream of achieving:

- one of the most iconic brands in the world

- a user base so fanatical they wouldn’t be caught dead using a Windows PC

- product designs so luscious they could be framed and featured in an art gallery

- devices boasting hardware that integrates perfectly with their underlying software

- the highest level of satisfaction among customers

- envious yet respectful competition

- the public’s trust that Apple’s next best thing will be the world’s next best thing

If we’ve left anything out, do include your own highlights.

Happy Birthday, Apple! May you always hold the key to the future. You've done a hell of a job so far.