Here's a timeline highlighting significant events related to the Apple I computer:
Timeline of the Apple I
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1975
- Introduction of the Microprocessor: Development of the first microprocessors, notably the Intel 8080, paves the way for personal computing.
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1976
- April: Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs begin work on a personal computer. Wozniak designs the Apple I motherboard.
- July 1976: Formation of Apple Computer, Inc. by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ron Wayne. Wayne leaves the company shortly after.
- August 1976: The Apple I is launched as the first product of the company. It is a single-board computer initially sold as a motherboard without a casing, keyboard, or display.
- September 1976: The Apple I is demonstrated at the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, California.
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1977
- January: The Apple I is announced at the West Coast Computer Faire, generating significant buzz.
- March 1977: Apple Computer, Inc. sells 50 units of the Apple I at a price of $666.66 each.
- 1977: Apple begins shipping the Apple I system kit, which includes the motherboard, power supply, and wooden case.
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1978
- December 1978: The production of the Apple I winds down as attention turns to development of the Apple II, which is planned as a more advanced successor.
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1979
- Apple II Development: The company focuses on the design and release of the Apple II, which becomes one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products.
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1980
- Apple I Production Ends: Apple announces the discontinuation of the Apple I, having sold approximately 200 units in total.
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1984
- Legacy Recognition: The Apple I gains recognition as a fundamental product in the history of personal computing, paving the way for later innovations from Apple.
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2010s - 2020s
- Collectibility and Value: Original Apple I computers become highly collectible, with some units fetching significant sums at auctions. For example, in 2013, an Apple I sold for over $387,000.
Summary
The Apple I was significant not just as a product, but as a catalyst that began the personal computing revolution and laid the foundation for the future success of Apple Inc. It represents a pivotal moment in technology history and the evolution of computer engineering.