Apple Turns 50 Today: Reflecting on Each Decade's Biggest Moments

Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, meaning the company is officially 50 years old as of today. To honor the occasion, we have reflected on some of Apple's biggest moments of each decade, from the 1970s through to the 2020s. Apple has an extensive history, so this list is far from comprehensive, but it captures some of the pivotal events over the company's first 50 years. 1970s While the Apple-1 was released in 1976, it was the Apple II in 1977 that became the company's first successful, mass-market computer. Unlike the Apple-1, the Apple II came fully assembled in a plastic case with a keyboard, and Apple sold millions of units of the computer over the years. This product gave Apple sustained cash flow, allowing it to become a major company. 1980s In 1984, Steve Jobs introduced the Macintosh, the world's first successful mass-marketed computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). The original Macintosh popularized the computer mouse, allowing users to control an on-screen pointer. T