Which three people created Apple Computer Co. on April 1, 1976?

Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne.

Apple Computer Co., known today simply as Apple Inc., is one of the world’s most recognizable and influential technology companies. Its origin story, beginning in a garage and culminating in global dominance, has become the stuff of legend. Apple was co-founded by three individuals on April 1, 1976: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne.

1. Steve Jobs: Steve Jobs is often the most associated name with Apple. His vision, leadership, and knack for marketing played a significant role in the company’s success. Born in 1955 in San Francisco, Jobs was adopted and grew up in Mountain View, California. In his early life, he crossed paths with Steve Wozniak during high school. Their shared interests in electronics and pranks cemented a strong friendship. Jobs had a profound sense of design and a visionary outlook on how technology could be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. His drive and ambition led him to approach Wozniak with the idea of selling a computer Wozniak had designed. This idea was the catalyst for the creation of Apple Computer Co.
2. Steve Wozniak: Often referred to as “Woz,” Steve Wozniak was the technical genius behind the duo of him and Jobs. Born in 1950 in San Jose, California, Wozniak had a passion for electronics from an early age. He met Jobs when he was in college, and the two bonded over their shared interests. Wozniak was the primary designer of the Apple I, Apple’s first product. His engineering prowess and innovative designs, combined with Jobs’ vision, made for a powerful partnership.
3. Ronald Wayne: The least known of the three co-founders, Ronald Wayne played a brief but significant role in Apple’s early days. Born in 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio, Wayne had already had a career in the electronics industry by the time he met Jobs and Wozniak. Wayne was brought into the fold to provide the young company with administrative oversight and documentation. He notably drafted the original partnership agreement and designed the first Apple logo. However, only 12 days after the company’s founding, Wayne decided to sell his 10% stake in the company for $800, a decision he would later describe as the best he ever made, considering he wasn’t prepared for the risks of a startup.

The collaboration of these three individuals led to the creation of Apple Computer Co., which started by selling the Apple I, a computer kit. Over time, as the company grew and evolved, Wayne’s involvement diminished, but the legacies of Jobs and Wozniak continued to shape the tech industry for decades.