Apple I's 50th Anniversary: The $666 Board That Launched a Tech Giant
Fifty years after the establishment of Apple, the Apple I computer, created by Steve Wozniak and launched by Steve Jobs in 1976, was priced at $666.66. This pre-assembled board did not include a monitor, keyboard, or case, and only 200 units were manufactured before the Apple II took its place in 1977. Existing models can command prices near half a million dollars. The Apple I was first showcased at the Homebrew Computer Club in July 1976, attracting attention with its limited components and features such as BASIC programming and cassette-tape storage. Originating from a garage, it symbolizes Apple’s beginnings. Today, fans can recreate it through DIY projects, emphasizing its legacy of simplicity, accessibility, and innovative design.
Key facts
- The Apple I computer was introduced in 1976
- Only 200 Apple I units were ever sold
- The Apple I sold for $666.66 (approximately $4,000 today)
- Steve Wozniak designed the Apple I's engineering
- Steve Jobs co-founded Apple and introduced the Apple I
- The Apple I debuted at the Homebrew Computer Club in July 1976
- Surviving Apple I computers now sell for around $500,000
- The Apple I was succeeded by the Apple II in 1977
Entities
Artists
- Steve Jobs
- Steve Wozniak
- Colin Marshall
- Ridley Scott
- Matt Groening
- Hunter S. Thompson
Institutions
- Apple, Inc.
- Apple Computer
- Homebrew Computer Club
- Open Culture
Locations
- Seoul
- South Korea