The Digester
technology

Apple at 50: From garage startup to a $3.7 trillion tech giant

Founded on April 1, 1976, Apple rose from a home-built computer venture to a dominant technology company after Steve Jobs returned in 1997 and led a string of transformative products.

Apr 3rd 2026 · United States

Insights

  • Apple was founded on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne, and Wayne sold his 10 percent stake for $2,300.
  • The Apple II (1977) and the Macintosh (1984) brought personal computing to mainstream users but high prices limited early sales.
  • Steve Jobs was forced out in 1985 and Apple then suffered a decade of leadership turmoil and legal battles.
  • Jobs returned in 1997, brokered a $150 million investment from Microsoft and led the launches of the iMac, iPod and iPhone.
  • By 2026 Apple is valued at about $3.7 trillion, has sold over 3 billion iPhones and remains heavily reliant on iPhone revenue while Tim Cook has expanded the company since Jobs died.

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