Apple I Computer
- Apple Computer 1, also known later as the Apple I, or Apple-1, is a desktop computer released by the Apple Computer Company (now Apple Inc.) in 1976. It was designed and hand-built by Steve Wozniak. Wozniak's friend Steve Jobs had the idea of selling the computer. The Apple I was Apple's first product, and to finance its creation, Jobs sold his only motorized means of transportation, a VW Microbus, for a few hundred dollars, and Wozniak sold his HP-65 calculator for $500; however, Wozniak said that Jobs planned to use his bicycle if necessary. It was demonstrated in July 1976 at the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, California.
- Steve "Woz" Wozniak was an engineer at Hewlett-Packard, and loved computers. He was relatively poor, but always wanted his own computer to play around with. Being rather intelligent, he had been designing his own computer for years, but never actually got around to making one.
- Encouraged by the other computers entering the market, he created his masterpiece, and took it to the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto California to show it to some of the other members.
- His friend and fellow Homebrew Computer Club member Steve Jobs loved it, but had a few improvement in mind. He also wanted to see if they could sell some and make a few dollars.
- Steve W. and Steve J. got some money together and had some printed circuit boards made, then planned to sell the computer as a kit. This is also when they officially formed the "Apple Computer Company" - Jobs used to work in an apple orchard.
- Jobs approached a local computer store, The Byte Shop, to see if they would be interested in selling their Apple 1 computer. They said "Sure, we'll take fifty fully assembled units." They sold them all.
- Only about 200 Apple 1 computers were made in total. Excited by their success, Woz went on to design the Apple II - one of the greatest computers of all time.
