Discover the humble beginnings of Microsoft, from its early days as a small programming company to its current status as a technology giant.
In January 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, two childhood friends with a passion for technology, stumbled upon an article in Popular Electronics that would change their lives forever. Featuring the Altair 8800 computer kit on its front page, the magazine caught their attention, and they soon found themselves inspired to create software for the machine.
Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen.
He served as CEO until stepping down in 2000.
Under his leadership, Microsoft developed the Windows operating system, which became a dominant force in personal computing.
Gates is also known for his philanthropic efforts through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on global health, education, and poverty alleviation.
The First Product: A Lie Turned Into Reality
Gates and Allen approached MITS, the electronics company behind the Altair 8800, with a bold claim: they had created software for the computer. However, there was just one problem – they hadn’t. For two months, the young programmers worked tirelessly to write the code they had already claimed to make, drawing from the BASIC programming language invented by Dartmouth professors in the ’60s.
The Original Source Code: A Legacy That Endures
After a successful demonstration to Ed Roberts, the president of MITS, Gates and Allen secured a license for the software and turned it into the first-ever product of Microsoft. Their company was initially named Micro-Soft, a combination of the words ‘microprocessor‘ and ‘software.’ Today, Microsoft celebrates its 50th anniversary, offering an option to download a 157-page PDF of the original source code.
Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft initially produced software for personal computers.
The company's breakthrough came with the introduction of the Windows operating system in 1985, which quickly gained popularity.
Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016 marked a significant expansion into social media and professional networking.
Today, Microsoft is a global leader in technology, offering a range of products including Office software, Azure cloud services, and Xbox gaming consoles.
A Half-Century of Innovation
From the Altair 8800 kit to the iconic Office software, Windows 95, and Xbox, Microsoft’s subsequent releases have revolutionized technology and personal computing. The company’s success has also boosted the personal fortune of Gates, who stepped away from the company in 2008 to pursue philanthropy, to a staggering $105 billion.
Reflections on a Half-Century of Innovation
For Gates, reaching the 50-year mark is ‘bittersweet.’ He notes that Microsoft is as interesting today as it was at any time in history. Still, he acknowledges that such a significant piece of his life has been around for a half-century. The original source code remains a testament to the duo’s ingenuity and perseverance, a reminder of the incredible journey that has led Microsoft to become one of the world’s most influential technology companies.
