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Home > Apple Computer Profile Links > Apple I Links
  
The Apple I, sold as a kit computer, was designed by a genius named Steven (Woz) Wozniak. It was designed over a period of years from parts Woz had free access to at his job as a Hewlett Packard engineer. HP encouraged its engineers to use company stock and lab facilities to experiment with new and interesting technology. Woz took full advantage of this privilege and when he got his hands on a MOStek 6502 had all the parts he needed to build the Apple I. It debuted in April 1976 at the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto. Woz had the most powerful home computer in the world and worked at his dream job for a great company. He was happy and had no other plans for his incredible device. When Steve Jobs saw his friend's device, he immediately went out trying to sell it at computer shows. Jobs secured a deal with Byte Shop, a small computer store in Mountain View, California, to sell 50 Apple computer kits for $500 each. Jobs sold his van, Woz sold his prized HP calculator and the rest is history. The Apple I kit included only the motherboard. You had to supply your own power supply, keyboard, monitor (or TV), and case. It was a true hobbyist computer, but at the time, it represented the most innovative and powerful home computer of its kind. It sold for the odd price of $666.66. Woz and Jobs had no idea that this price might have religious implications for some buyers. Profile Links: |
