Apple I: Difference between revisions
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The '''Apple Computer 1''' ('''Apple-1'''{{efn|The name is abbreviated as ''Apple-1'' in original manuals and documentation.<ref name="applefritter.com"/>}}), later known predominantly as the '''Apple I'''{{sronly| (written with a Roman numeral)}},{{efn|Apple retroactively refers to the computer as ''Apple I'', beginning with catalogs from 1977.<ref name="1977 price list"/>}} is an [[8-bit computing|8-bit]] [[personal computer]] designed by [[Steve Wozniak]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2006/09/27/co-founder-tells-his-side-of-apple-story-1159346150.html |title=Co-founder tells his side of Apple story |agency=Reuters |date=September 27, 2006 |access-date=January 15, 2012 |archive-date=October 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022235122/http://news.oneindia.in/2006/09/27/co-founder-tells-his-side-of-apple-story-1159346150.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6167297|title=A Chat with Computing Pioneer Steve Wozniak|newspaper=NPR.org|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091333/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6167297|url-status=live}}</ref> and released by the Apple Computer Company (now [[Apple Inc.]]) in 1976. The company was initially formed to sell the Apple I{{snd}}[[Timeline of Apple Inc. products|its first product]]{{snd}} and would later become the [[List of largest technology companies by revenue|world's largest technology company]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Liyan |date=May 11, 2015 |title=The World's Largest Tech Companies: Apple Beats Samsung, Microsoft, Google |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/liyanchen/2015/05/11/the-worlds-largest-tech-companies-apple-beats-samsung-microsoft-google |access-date=May 24, 2017 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> The idea of starting a company and selling the computer came from Wozniak's friend and Apple co-founder [[Steve Jobs]].<ref>{{Cite book |first=Owen W. |last=Linzmayer |year=2004 |title=Apple Confidential 2.0: The Definitive History of the World's Most Colorful Company |url=https://archive.org/details/appleconfidentia00linz_028 |url-access=registration |publisher=No Starch Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/appleconfidentia00linz_028/page/n16 5]|isbn=9781593270100}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |first=Jason D. |last=O'Grady |year=2009 |title=Apple Inc. |url=https://archive.org/details/appleinccorporat00ogra_138 |url-access=registration |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=[https://archive.org/details/appleinccorporat00ogra_138/page/n17 3]|isbn=9780313362446}}</ref> | The '''Apple Computer 1''' ('''Apple-1'''{{efn|The name is abbreviated as ''Apple-1'' in original manuals and documentation.<ref name="applefritter.com"/>}}), later known predominantly as the '''Apple I'''{{sronly| (written with a Roman numeral)}},{{efn|Apple retroactively refers to the computer as ''Apple I'', beginning with catalogs from 1977.<ref name="1977 price list"/>}} is an [[8-bit computing|8-bit]] [[personal computer]] electrically designed by [[Steve Wozniak]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2006/09/27/co-founder-tells-his-side-of-apple-story-1159346150.html |title=Co-founder tells his side of Apple story |agency=Reuters |date=September 27, 2006 |access-date=January 15, 2012 |archive-date=October 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022235122/http://news.oneindia.in/2006/09/27/co-founder-tells-his-side-of-apple-story-1159346150.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6167297|title=A Chat with Computing Pioneer Steve Wozniak|newspaper=NPR.org|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091333/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6167297|url-status=live}}</ref> and released by the Apple Computer Company (now [[Apple Inc.]]) in 1976. The company was initially formed to sell the Apple I{{snd}}[[Timeline of Apple Inc. products|its first product]]{{snd}} and would later become the [[List of largest technology companies by revenue|world's largest technology company]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Liyan |date=May 11, 2015 |title=The World's Largest Tech Companies: Apple Beats Samsung, Microsoft, Google |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/liyanchen/2015/05/11/the-worlds-largest-tech-companies-apple-beats-samsung-microsoft-google |access-date=May 24, 2017 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> The idea of starting a company and selling the computer came from Wozniak's friend and Apple co-founder [[Steve Jobs]].<ref>{{Cite book |first=Owen W. |last=Linzmayer |year=2004 |title=Apple Confidential 2.0: The Definitive History of the World's Most Colorful Company |url=https://archive.org/details/appleconfidentia00linz_028 |url-access=registration |publisher=No Starch Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/appleconfidentia00linz_028/page/n16 5]|isbn=9781593270100}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |first=Jason D. |last=O'Grady |year=2009 |title=Apple Inc. |url=https://archive.org/details/appleinccorporat00ogra_138 |url-access=registration |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=[https://archive.org/details/appleinccorporat00ogra_138/page/n17 3]|isbn=9780313362446}}</ref> | ||
The key differentiator of the Apple I was that it included [[video display terminal]] circuitry, allowing it to connect to a low-cost [[composite video]] monitor and keyboard instead of an expensive accompanying [[Computer terminal|terminal]] such as the [[Teletype Model 33]] commonly used by other early personal computers. The Apple I and the [[Sol-20]] were some of the earliest home computers to have this capability. | |||
To finance the Apple I's development, Wozniak and Jobs sold some of their possessions for a few hundred dollars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/30/kelley-jobs-vision-changed-the-way-we-work-play/?opinion=1|title=Ventura County Star|website=Ventura County Star|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006065302/http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/30/kelley-jobs-vision-changed-the-way-we-work-play/?opinion=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Wozniak demonstrated the first prototype in July 1976 at the [[Homebrew Computer Club]] in [[Palo Alto, California]], impressing the [[Byte Shop]], an early computer retailer.<ref name = "Freiberger 2000">{{cite book | last1 = Freiberger | first1 = Paul | author-link1 = Paul Freiberger | first2 = Michael | last2 = Swaine | author-link2 = Michael Swaine (technical author) | title = Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer | publisher = McGraw-Hill | edition = 2nd | year = 2000 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/fireinvalleymaki00frei_0/page/265 265–267] | location = New York, NY | isbn = 0-07-135892-7 | quote = At a Homebrew meeting in July 1976, Woz gave a demonstration of the Apple 1. Paul Terrell, one of the industries earliest retailers, was in attendance. | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/fireinvalleymaki00frei_0/page/265 }}</ref> After securing an order for 50 computers, Jobs was able to order the parts on credit and deliver the first Apple products after ten days.<ref name="wozniak-smith"/> | To finance the Apple I's development, Wozniak and Jobs sold some of their possessions for a few hundred dollars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/30/kelley-jobs-vision-changed-the-way-we-work-play/?opinion=1|title=Ventura County Star|website=Ventura County Star|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006065302/http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/30/kelley-jobs-vision-changed-the-way-we-work-play/?opinion=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Wozniak demonstrated the first prototype in July 1976 at the [[Homebrew Computer Club]] in [[Palo Alto, California]], impressing the [[Byte Shop]], an early computer retailer.<ref name = "Freiberger 2000">{{cite book | last1 = Freiberger | first1 = Paul | author-link1 = Paul Freiberger | first2 = Michael | last2 = Swaine | author-link2 = Michael Swaine (technical author) | title = Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer | publisher = McGraw-Hill | edition = 2nd | year = 2000 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/fireinvalleymaki00frei_0/page/265 265–267] | location = New York, NY | isbn = 0-07-135892-7 | quote = At a Homebrew meeting in July 1976, Woz gave a demonstration of the Apple 1. Paul Terrell, one of the industries earliest retailers, was in attendance. | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/fireinvalleymaki00frei_0/page/265 }}</ref> After securing an order for 50 computers, Jobs was able to order the parts on credit and deliver the first Apple products after ten days.<ref name="wozniak-smith"/> | ||
The Apple I was one of the first computers available that used the [[MOS Technology 6502]] microprocessor. An expansion included a [[BASIC interpreter]], allowing users to utilize BASIC at home instead of at institutions with mainframe computers, greatly lowering the entry cost for computing with BASIC. | The Apple I was one of the first computers available that used the [[MOS Technology 6502]] microprocessor. An expansion included a [[BASIC interpreter]], allowing users to utilize [[BASIC]] at home instead of at institutions with mainframe computers, greatly lowering the entry cost for computing with BASIC. | ||
Production was discontinued on September 30, 1977, after the June 10, 1977 introduction of its successor, the [[Apple II (original)|Apple II]], which [[Byte (magazine)|''Byte'' magazine]] referred to as part of the "[[1977 Trinity]]" of personal computing (along with the [[Commodore PET#PET 2001 series / 2001-N & -B series, CBM 3000 series|PET 2001]] from [[Commodore Business Machines]] and the [[TRS-80 Model I]] from [[Tandy Corporation]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.byte.com/art/9509/sec7/art15.htm |title=Most Important Companies |access-date=June 10, 2008 |date=September 1995 |work=[[Byte (magazine)|Byte]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618072507/http://www.byte.com/art/9509/sec7/art15.htm |archive-date=June 18, 2008}}</ref> As relatively few computers were made before they were discontinued, coupled with their status as Apple's first product, surviving Apple I units are now displayed in [[computer museum]]s.<ref name="ford"/> | Production was discontinued on September 30, 1977, after the June 10, 1977 introduction of its successor, the [[Apple II (original)|Apple II]], which [[Byte (magazine)|''Byte'' magazine]] referred to as part of the "[[1977 Trinity]]" of personal computing (along with the [[Commodore PET#PET 2001 series / 2001-N & -B series, CBM 3000 series|PET 2001]] from [[Commodore Business Machines]] and the [[TRS-80 Model I]] from [[Tandy Corporation]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.byte.com/art/9509/sec7/art15.htm |title=Most Important Companies |access-date=June 10, 2008 |date=September 1995 |work=[[Byte (magazine)|Byte]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618072507/http://www.byte.com/art/9509/sec7/art15.htm |archive-date=June 18, 2008}}</ref> As relatively few computers were made before they were discontinued, coupled with their status as Apple's first product, surviving Apple I units are now displayed in [[computer museum]]s.<ref name="ford"/> | ||
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===Development=== | ===Development=== | ||
[[File:Steve Wozniak, 1983 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Steve Wozniak]] alone designed the circuit and operating system for the Apple I.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karabus |first=Jude |title=Apple-1 prototype hand-soldered by Woz under the hammer |url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/07/27/apple1_prototype_handsoldered_by_woz/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}</ref>]] | [[File:Steve Wozniak, 1983 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Steve Wozniak]] alone designed the circuit and operating system for the Apple I.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karabus |first=Jude |title=Apple-1 prototype hand-soldered by Woz under the hammer |url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/07/27/apple1_prototype_handsoldered_by_woz/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}</ref>]] | ||
In 1974, while visiting famous phone phreak [[John Draper]] in [[California]], Steve Wozniak watched him connect a [[modem]] to the [[ARPANET]] – the precursor to the [[internet]] – and use a [[teleprinter]] to play chess with someone from [[Boston]]; this inspired him to make a cheap terminal that used an inexpensive keyboard from [[Sears]] and a standard [[Television set|TV]].<ref name="Apple Guide">{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYEYTjqx4pY|date=July 17, 2021|title=Apple 1 History And Build Guide|author=Retro Hack Shack|work=[[YouTube]]|access-date=December 10, 2024}}</ref> Later in March 1975, Wozniak started attending meetings of the [[Homebrew Computer Club]], which was a major source of inspiration for him.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wozniak |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Wozniak |url=https://archive.org/details/iwozcomputergeek00wozn |title=iWoz |publisher=W.W. Norton & Company |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-393-33043-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/iwozcomputergeek00wozn/page/150 150] |quote=After my first meeting, I started designing the computer that would later be known as the Apple I. It was that inspiring. |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|pp=4–5}}<ref name="OLD ALTAIR VID">{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5lpOskKF9I|date=March 18, 2016|title=The PC That Started Microsoft & Apple! (Altair 8800)|author=ColdFusion|work=[[YouTube]]|access-date=December 10, 2024}}</ref> New [[microcomputer]]s such as the [[Altair 8800]] inspired Wozniak to build a microprocessor into his video terminal circuit to make a complete computer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Computer Technologies and Cyberterrorism |url=http://lib.eioskuimvd.ru/jirbis2/_docs_file/Эл.%20библ.%20для%20учебы/Электронные%20учебники%20ВУЗов%20МВД%20России/Английский%20язык/2021%20Компьютерные%20технологии%20и%20кибертерроризм/Комп%20технологии%20английский.pdf |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> At the time the only appropriate CPUs available were the [[Intel 8080]] | In 1974, while visiting famous [[Phreaking|phone phreak]] [[John Draper]] in [[California]], Steve Wozniak watched him connect a [[modem]] to the [[ARPANET]] – the precursor to the [[internet]] – and use a [[teleprinter]] to play chess with someone from [[Boston]]; this inspired him to make a cheap terminal that used an inexpensive keyboard from [[Sears]] and a standard [[Television set|TV]].<ref name="Apple Guide">{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYEYTjqx4pY|date=July 17, 2021|title=Apple 1 History And Build Guide|author=Retro Hack Shack|work=[[YouTube]]|access-date=December 10, 2024}}</ref> Later in March 1975, Wozniak started attending meetings of the [[Homebrew Computer Club]], which was a major source of inspiration for him.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wozniak |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Wozniak |url=https://archive.org/details/iwozcomputergeek00wozn |title=iWoz |publisher=W.W. Norton & Company |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-393-33043-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/iwozcomputergeek00wozn/page/150 150] |quote=After my first meeting, I started designing the computer that would later be known as the Apple I. It was that inspiring. |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|pp=4–5}}<ref name="OLD ALTAIR VID">{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5lpOskKF9I|date=March 18, 2016|title=The PC That Started Microsoft & Apple! (Altair 8800)|author=ColdFusion|work=[[YouTube]]|access-date=December 10, 2024}}</ref> New [[microcomputer]]s such as the [[Altair 8800]] inspired Wozniak to build a microprocessor into his video terminal circuit to make a complete computer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Computer Technologies and Cyberterrorism |url=http://lib.eioskuimvd.ru/jirbis2/_docs_file/Эл.%20библ.%20для%20учебы/Электронные%20учебники%20ВУЗов%20МВД%20России/Английский%20язык/2021%20Компьютерные%20технологии%20и%20кибертерроризм/Комп%20технологии%20английский.pdf |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> At the time the only appropriate CPUs available were the [[Intel 8080]] and the [[Motorola 6800]]. Of these options, Wozniak preferred the 6800, though he was financially unable to obtain either. Instead, he began designing computers on paper until he could afford a CPU.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of AppleBefore Apple Computer, Inc. - History of Apple |url=https://historyofapple.com/apple-history/before-apple-computer-inc/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=historyofapple.com}}</ref> | ||
When the $25 [[MOS Technology 6502]] was released in late 1975,{{efn|a price equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|25|1975|r=-1}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}{{Inflation/fn|US}}}} Wozniak wrote a version of [[BASIC]] for it, then began to design a computer for it to run on. The 6502 was developed by many of the same engineers that designed the 6800, as many in Silicon Valley left employers to form their own companies. Wozniak's earlier 6800 computer design needed only minor changes to run on the new processor. | When the $25 [[MOS Technology 6502]] was released in late 1975,{{efn|a price equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|25|1975|r=-1}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}{{Inflation/fn|US}}}} Wozniak wrote a version of [[BASIC]] for it, then began to design a computer for it to run on. The 6502 was developed by many of the same engineers that designed the 6800, as many in Silicon Valley left employers to form their own companies. Wozniak's earlier 6800 computer design needed only minor changes to run on the new processor. | ||
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By March 1, 1976, Wozniak completed the basic design of his computer.<ref name="FireValley">{{cite book |last1=Freiberger |first1=Paul |author-link1=Paul Freiberger |url=https://archive.org/details/fireinvalleymaki00frei_0 |title=Fire in the Valley |last2=Swaine |first2=Michael |author-link2=Michael Swaine (technical author) |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |year=2000 |isbn=0-07-135892-7}}</ref>{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|pp=5–6}} Wozniak originally offered the design to [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]] while working there, but it was rejected by the company on five occasions.<ref name="AI">{{cite web |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/10/12/06/apple_co_founder_offered_first_computer_design_to_hp_5_times |title=Apple co-founder offered first computer design to HP 5 times |date=December 7, 2010 |publisher=[[AppleInsider]] |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803155301/https://appleinsider.com/articles/10/12/06/apple_co_founder_offered_first_computer_design_to_hp_5_times |url-status=live }}</ref> When he demonstrated his computer at the Homebrew Computer Club, his friend and fellow club regular [[Steve Jobs]] was immediately interested in its commercial potential.<ref>{{Cite book |last=O'Grady |first=Jason D. |title=Apple Inc. |date=2009 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=9780313362446 |page=3}}</ref> Wozniak intended to share schematics of the machine for free; however, Jobs advised him to start a business together and sell bare [[printed circuit board]]s for the computer, without any components soldered on.{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|pp=4–6}}{{sfn|Schlender|Tetzeli|2016|pp=35–38}}{{sfn|Isaacson|2011|p=62}} Wozniak, at first skeptical, was later convinced by Jobs that even if they were not successful they could at least say to their grandchildren that they had had their own company. To raise the money they needed to build the first batch of the circuit boards, Wozniak sold his [[HP-65|HP-65 scientific calculator]] while Jobs sold his [[Volkswagen Type 2|Volkswagen van]].{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|pp=4–6}}{{sfn|Schlender|Tetzeli|2016|pp=35–38}} | By March 1, 1976, Wozniak completed the basic design of his computer.<ref name="FireValley">{{cite book |last1=Freiberger |first1=Paul |author-link1=Paul Freiberger |url=https://archive.org/details/fireinvalleymaki00frei_0 |title=Fire in the Valley |last2=Swaine |first2=Michael |author-link2=Michael Swaine (technical author) |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |year=2000 |isbn=0-07-135892-7}}</ref>{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|pp=5–6}} Wozniak originally offered the design to [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]] while working there, but it was rejected by the company on five occasions.<ref name="AI">{{cite web |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/10/12/06/apple_co_founder_offered_first_computer_design_to_hp_5_times |title=Apple co-founder offered first computer design to HP 5 times |date=December 7, 2010 |publisher=[[AppleInsider]] |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803155301/https://appleinsider.com/articles/10/12/06/apple_co_founder_offered_first_computer_design_to_hp_5_times |url-status=live }}</ref> When he demonstrated his computer at the Homebrew Computer Club, his friend and fellow club regular [[Steve Jobs]] was immediately interested in its commercial potential.<ref>{{Cite book |last=O'Grady |first=Jason D. |title=Apple Inc. |date=2009 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=9780313362446 |page=3}}</ref> Wozniak intended to share schematics of the machine for free; however, Jobs advised him to start a business together and sell bare [[printed circuit board]]s (PCBs) for the computer, without any components soldered on.{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|pp=4–6}}{{sfn|Schlender|Tetzeli|2016|pp=35–38}}{{sfn|Isaacson|2011|p=62}} Wozniak, at first skeptical, was later convinced by Jobs that even if they were not successful they could at least say to their grandchildren that they had had their own company. To raise the money they needed to build the first batch of the circuit boards, Wozniak sold his [[HP-65|HP-65 scientific calculator]] while Jobs sold his [[Volkswagen Type 2|Volkswagen van]].{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|pp=4–6}}{{sfn|Schlender|Tetzeli|2016|pp=35–38}} | ||
{{external media | {{external media | ||
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}} | }} | ||
After the company was formed a month later, Jobs and Wozniak gave a presentation of the fully assembled "Apple Computer A" at the Homebrew Computer Club.{{sfn|Schlender|Tetzeli|2016|pp=39–40}}<ref name="szondy"/><ref name="Apple DOC">{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxfzhiSHoxw|date=August 21, 2024|title=Apple 1: The Computer That Started Everything|author=NationSquid|work=[[YouTube]]|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> [[Paul Terrell]], who was starting a new computer shop in [[Mountain View, California]], called the [[Byte Shop]],<ref name="iWoz">{{cite book |last1= Wozniak |first1= Steve |last2= Smith |first2= Gina |author2-link= Gina Smith (author) |year= 2006 |title= iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It |publisher=[[W. W. Norton & Company]] |isbn= 0-393-06143-4 |oclc= 502898652 |title-link= iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It }}</ref> saw the presentation and was impressed by the machine.{{sfn|Isaacson|2011|pp=66–67}}{{sfn|Swaine|2014|pages=336–338}} Terrell told Jobs that he would order 50 units of the Apple I and pay $500 each{{efn|{{Inflation|US|500|1976|fmt=eq|r=-2}}{{Inflation/fn|US}}}} on delivery, but only if they came fully assembled{{snd}}he was not interested in buying bare printed circuit boards with no components.{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|p=7}}{{sfn|Isaacson|2011|pp=66–67}}<ref name="iCon-p35">{{Cite book |last1=Young |first1=Jeffrey |url=https://archive.org/details/iconstevejobsgre00jeff/page/35 |title=iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business |last2=William L. Simon |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-471-72083-6 |location=[[Hoboken, New Jersey]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/iconstevejobsgre00jeff/page/35 35] |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|page=7}}{{sfn|Swaine|2014|pages=336–338}} | After the company was formed a month later, Jobs and Wozniak gave a presentation of the fully assembled "Apple Computer A" at the Homebrew Computer Club.{{sfn|Schlender|Tetzeli|2016|pp=39–40}}<ref name="szondy"/><ref name="Apple DOC">{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxfzhiSHoxw|date=August 21, 2024|title=Apple 1: The Computer That Started Everything|author=NationSquid|work=[[YouTube]]|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> [[Paul Terrell]], who was starting a new computer shop in [[Mountain View, California]], called the [[Byte Shop]],<ref name="iWoz">{{cite book |last1= Wozniak |first1= Steve |last2= Smith |first2= Gina |author2-link= Gina Smith (author) |year= 2006 |title= iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It |publisher=[[W. W. Norton & Company]] |isbn= 0-393-06143-4 |oclc= 502898652 |title-link= iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It }}</ref> saw the presentation and was impressed by the machine.{{sfn|Isaacson|2011|pp=66–67}}{{sfn|Swaine|2014|pages=336–338}} Terrell told Jobs that he would order 50 units of the Apple I and pay $500 each{{efn|{{Inflation|US|500|1976|fmt=eq|r=-2}}{{Inflation/fn|US}}}} on delivery, but only if they came fully assembled{{snd}}he was not interested in buying bare printed circuit boards with no components.{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|p=7}}{{sfn|Isaacson|2011|pp=66–67}}<ref name="iCon-p35">{{Cite book |last1=Young |first1=Jeffrey |url=https://archive.org/details/iconstevejobsgre00jeff/page/35 |title=iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business |last2=William L. Simon |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-471-72083-6 |location=[[Hoboken, New Jersey]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/iconstevejobsgre00jeff/page/35 35] |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{sfn|Linzmayer|2004|page=7}}{{sfn|Swaine|2014|pages=336–338}} | ||
Wozniak had designed the electrical circuit, but the board design for the Apple 1 was done by Howard Cantin, a PCB layout engineer at Atari.<ref name="Butcher">{{cite book | last=Butcher | first=Lee | title=Accidental Millionaire: The Rise and Fall of Steve Jobs at Apple Computer | publisher=Knightsbridge | date=1990 | isbn=978-1-877961-09-0 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Accidental_Millionaire/R7IC_ndpEucC | access-date=2025-08-09 | page=}}</ref><ref name="Moritz">{{cite book | last=Moritz | first=Michael | title=The Little Kingdom: The Private Story of Apple Computer | publisher=W. Morrow | date=1984 | isbn=978-0-688-03973-8 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Little_Kingdom/trsnAAAAMAAJ | access-date=2025-08-09 | page=}}</ref> | |||
Jobs took the purchase order from the Byte Shop to national electronic parts distributor [[Cramer Electronics]], and ordered the components needed. When asked by the credit manager how he would pay for the parts, Jobs replied, "I have this purchase order from the Byte Shop chain of computer stores for 50 of my computers and the payment terms are [[Cash on delivery|COD]]. If you give me the parts on [[net 30-day]] terms I can build and deliver the computers in that time frame, collect my money from Terrell at the Byte Shop and pay you."<ref name="wozniak-smith">{{Cite book |first1=Steve |last1=Wozniak |title=iWoz: The Autobiography of the Man Who Started the Computer Revolution |first2=Gina |last2=Smith |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7553-1408-9 |page=189|publisher=Headline Publishing }}</ref><ref name="wozniak198412">{{Cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Gregg |last2=Moore |first2=Rob |date=December 1984 |title=The Apple Story / Part 1: Early History |pages=A67 |work=BYTE |type=interview |url=https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1984-12/1984_12_BYTE_09-13_Communications#page/n461/mode/2up |access-date=October 23, 2013}}</ref> | Jobs took the purchase order from the Byte Shop to national electronic parts distributor [[Cramer Electronics]], and ordered the components needed. When asked by the credit manager how he would pay for the parts, Jobs replied, "I have this purchase order from the Byte Shop chain of computer stores for 50 of my computers and the payment terms are [[Cash on delivery|COD]]. If you give me the parts on [[net 30-day]] terms I can build and deliver the computers in that time frame, collect my money from Terrell at the Byte Shop and pay you."<ref name="wozniak-smith">{{Cite book |first1=Steve |last1=Wozniak |title=iWoz: The Autobiography of the Man Who Started the Computer Revolution |first2=Gina |last2=Smith |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7553-1408-9 |page=189|publisher=Headline Publishing }}</ref><ref name="wozniak198412">{{Cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Gregg |last2=Moore |first2=Rob |date=December 1984 |title=The Apple Story / Part 1: Early History |pages=A67 |work=BYTE |type=interview |url=https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1984-12/1984_12_BYTE_09-13_Communications#page/n461/mode/2up |access-date=October 23, 2013}}</ref> | ||
| Line 192: | Line 196: | ||
|Programmable read-only memory | |Programmable read-only memory | ||
|} | |} | ||
[[File:Apple-1-wozmon-ready-prompt.gif|alt=A backlash character at the top-left of the screen and a blinking at sign character below it|thumb|208x208px|The Apple | [[File:Apple-1-wozmon-ready-prompt.gif|alt=A backlash character at the top-left of the screen and a blinking at sign character below it|thumb|208x208px|The Apple I system monitor ready prompt]] | ||
===Video and Input=== | ===Video and Input=== | ||
| Line 300: | Line 304: | ||
==Conservation== | ==Conservation== | ||
[[File:LCM+L Working Apple I.jpg|thumb|A running Apple I, with a keyboard and monitor connected, on display at [[Living Computers: Museum + Labs|LCM+L]] where guests were allowed to use it]] | [[File:LCM+L Working Apple I.jpg|thumb|A running Apple I, with a keyboard and monitor connected, on display at [[Living Computers: Museum + Labs|LCM+L]] where guests were allowed to use it]] | ||
Only about 200 Apple I boards were produced,<ref name="wozniak198412" /> and {{as of|2022|08|lc=y}} the whereabouts of 62 to 82 are known.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Apple 1 Registry|url=https://www.apple1registry.com/en/list.html|access-date=February 16, 2022|archive-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216213001/https://www.apple1registry.com/en/list.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After the success of the [[Apple II]], and of Apple broadly, the Apple I was recognized as an important historical computer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Starr |first=Michelle |date=June 29, 2016 |title=10 facts about the Apple-1, the machine that made computing history |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/apple-1-the-machine-that-made-computing-history/ |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Clive |date=March 2016 |title=Steve Wozniak's Apple I Booted Up a Tech Revolution |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/steve-wozniaks-apple-i-booted-up-tech-revolution-180958112/ |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref> According to the 1986 ''[[Apple IIe]] Owner's Guide'', an Apple I was then worth "between $10,000 and $15,000"{{efn|equivalent to between ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|10000|1986|r=-3}}}} and ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|15000|1986|r=-3}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP}}}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple IIe Owner's Guide |url=https://www.apple.asimov.net/documentation/hardware/machines/Apple%20IIe%20Owner's%20Guide.pdf#page=130 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.apple.asimov.net/documentation/hardware/machines/Apple%20IIe%20Owner's%20Guide.pdf#page=130 |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=Apple Computer |page=112}}</ref> and a board was reportedly sold for $50,000 in 1999.{{efn|{{Inflation|US-GDP|50000|1999|fmt=eq|r=-3}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP}}}}{{ | Only about 200 Apple I boards were produced,<ref name="wozniak198412" /> and {{as of|2022|08|lc=y}} the whereabouts of 62 to 82 are known.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Apple 1 Registry|url=https://www.apple1registry.com/en/list.html|access-date=February 16, 2022|archive-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216213001/https://www.apple1registry.com/en/list.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After the success of the [[Apple II]], and of Apple broadly, the Apple I was recognized as an important historical computer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Starr |first=Michelle |date=June 29, 2016 |title=10 facts about the Apple-1, the machine that made computing history |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/apple-1-the-machine-that-made-computing-history/ |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Clive |date=March 2016 |title=Steve Wozniak's Apple I Booted Up a Tech Revolution |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/steve-wozniaks-apple-i-booted-up-tech-revolution-180958112/ |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref> According to the 1986 ''[[Apple IIe]] Owner's Guide'', an Apple I was then worth "between $10,000 and $15,000"{{efn|equivalent to between ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|10000|1986|r=-3}}}} and ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|15000|1986|r=-3}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP}}}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple IIe Owner's Guide |url=https://www.apple.asimov.net/documentation/hardware/machines/Apple%20IIe%20Owner's%20Guide.pdf#page=130 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.apple.asimov.net/documentation/hardware/machines/Apple%20IIe%20Owner's%20Guide.pdf#page=130 |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=Apple Computer |page=112}}</ref> and a board was reportedly sold for $50,000 in 1999.{{efn|{{Inflation|US-GDP|50000|1999|fmt=eq|r=-3}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP}}}}<ref>{{cite web |title=The Apple Revolution: 10 Key Moments |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1873486_1873491_1873497,00.html |website=[[Time (magazine)|Time.com]] |location=New York |publisher=Time USA, LLC |access-date=August 14, 2025}}</ref> | ||
In November 2010, an Apple I with a cache of original documents and packaging sold for £133,250 (${{To USD round|133250|GBR|2010|sf=3}}){{efn|equivalent to £{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|133250|2010|r=-3}}}} (${{To USD round|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|133250|2010}}|GBR|{{Inflation/year|UK-GDP}}|sf=3}}) in {{Inflation/year|UK-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|UK-GDP}}}} at [[Christie's]] auction house in London. The documents included the return label showing Steve Jobs's parents' address, a personally typed and signed letter from Jobs (answering technical questions about the computer), and the invoice (listing "Steven" as the salesman). The computer was brought to [[Polytechnic University of Turin]] for restoration.<ref>{{cite news|last=BBC News|title=First Apple computer fetches £130,000 at auction|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11825954|work=BBC News|access-date=June 16, 2012|date=November 23, 2010|archive-date=June 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617032729/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11825954|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Christie's Sale 7882 / Lot 65|url=http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5370965&sid=1d221fae-dbba-4746-9922-8ca3e066b4bf|publisher=Christie's|access-date=June 16, 2012|archive-date=March 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316215034/http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5370965&sid=1d221fae-dbba-4746-9922-8ca3e066b4bf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Heater|first=Brian|title=$211,000 Apple-1 up and running, wants to know what this 'cloud' thing is all about|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/211-000-apple-1-up-and-running-wants-to-know-what-this-cloud/|work=engadget|date=May 10, 2011 |publisher=engadget.com|access-date=June 16, 2012|archive-date=May 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529182405/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/211-000-apple-1-up-and-running-wants-to-know-what-this-cloud/|url-status=live}}</ref> | In November 2010, an Apple I with a cache of original documents and packaging sold for £133,250 (${{To USD round|133250|GBR|2010|sf=3}}){{efn|equivalent to £{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|133250|2010|r=-3}}}} (${{To USD round|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|133250|2010}}|GBR|{{Inflation/year|UK-GDP}}|sf=3}}) in {{Inflation/year|UK-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|UK-GDP}}}} at [[Christie's]] auction house in London. The documents included the return label showing Steve Jobs's parents' address, a personally typed and signed letter from Jobs (answering technical questions about the computer), and the invoice (listing "Steven" as the salesman). The computer was brought to [[Polytechnic University of Turin]] for restoration.<ref>{{cite news|last=BBC News|title=First Apple computer fetches £130,000 at auction|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11825954|work=BBC News|access-date=June 16, 2012|date=November 23, 2010|archive-date=June 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617032729/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11825954|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Christie's Sale 7882 / Lot 65|url=http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5370965&sid=1d221fae-dbba-4746-9922-8ca3e066b4bf|publisher=Christie's|access-date=June 16, 2012|archive-date=March 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316215034/http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5370965&sid=1d221fae-dbba-4746-9922-8ca3e066b4bf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Heater|first=Brian|title=$211,000 Apple-1 up and running, wants to know what this 'cloud' thing is all about|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/211-000-apple-1-up-and-running-wants-to-know-what-this-cloud/|work=engadget|date=May 10, 2011 |publisher=engadget.com|access-date=June 16, 2012|archive-date=May 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529182405/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/211-000-apple-1-up-and-running-wants-to-know-what-this-cloud/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| Line 315: | Line 319: | ||
===Emulation=== | ===Emulation=== | ||
Emulation software for the Apple I has been written for modern home computers<ref>[ | Emulation software for the Apple I has been written for modern home computers<ref>[https://pom1.sourceforge.net Pom1 Apple 1 Emulator] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826151236/http://pom1.sourceforge.net/ |date=August 26, 2013 }}, retrieved July 17, 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.zophar.net/macintosh/apple1/cocoapom.html CocoaPom Apple 1 Emulator] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604111036/http://www.zophar.net/macintosh/apple1/cocoapom.html |date=June 4, 2013 }}, retrieved July 17, 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.zophar.net/macintosh/apple1/sim6502.html Sim6502 Apple I emulator] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114223827/http://www.zophar.net/macintosh/apple1/sim6502.html |date=November 14, 2013 }} retrieved July 17, 2013</ref> and for web browsers.<ref name=ScullInSteel/> It has also been emulated on 1980s era computers including the [[SAM Coupé]]<ref>[http://simonowen.com/sam/apple1emu/ Apple 1 Emulator - SAM Coupé] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127044234/http://simonowen.com/sam/apple1emu/ |date=November 27, 2013 }}, retrieved July 17, 2013</ref> and [[Commodore 64]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://csdb.dk/release/?id=118857 | title=Green Delicious Apple-1 Emulator | access-date=February 28, 2018 | archive-date=February 28, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228161920/http://csdb.dk/release/?id=118857 | url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 382: | Line 386: | ||
* [https://www.applefritter.com/files/a1man.pdf Apple I Operational Manual] ([https://archive.org/details/applei_manual/mode/1up browse]) | * [https://www.applefritter.com/files/a1man.pdf Apple I Operational Manual] ([https://archive.org/details/applei_manual/mode/1up browse]) | ||
* [https://www.retroplace.com/de/feature/operation-manuell/161 German making-of article to recreate the Apple I Operational Manual] | * [https://www.retroplace.com/de/feature/operation-manuell/161 German making-of article to recreate the Apple I Operational Manual] | ||
* [http://www.sbprojects.com/projects/apple1/ Apple I project on www.sbprojects.com] | * [http://www.sbprojects.com/projects/apple1/ Apple I project on www.sbprojects.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427033721/http://www.sbprojects.com/projects/apple1/ |date=April 27, 2009 }} | ||
* [https://www.Apple1Registry.com Apple 1 Computer Registry] | * [https://www.Apple1Registry.com Apple 1 Computer Registry] | ||
* [http://apple1computer.blogspot.com John Calande III blog – Building the Apple I clone, including corrections on the early history of Apple Computer] | * [http://apple1computer.blogspot.com John Calande III blog – Building the Apple I clone, including corrections on the early history of Apple Computer] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:21, 18 November 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about".
Template:Use mdy dates Template:Use American English
Template:Infobox information appliance The Apple Computer 1 (Apple-1Template:Efn), later known predominantly as the Apple ITemplate:Sronly,Template:Efn is an 8-bit personal computer electrically designed by Steve Wozniak[1][2] and released by the Apple Computer Company (now Apple Inc.) in 1976. The company was initially formed to sell the Apple ITemplate:Sndits first productTemplate:Snd and would later become the world's largest technology company.[3] The idea of starting a company and selling the computer came from Wozniak's friend and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.[4][5]
The key differentiator of the Apple I was that it included video display terminal circuitry, allowing it to connect to a low-cost composite video monitor and keyboard instead of an expensive accompanying terminal such as the Teletype Model 33 commonly used by other early personal computers. The Apple I and the Sol-20 were some of the earliest home computers to have this capability.
To finance the Apple I's development, Wozniak and Jobs sold some of their possessions for a few hundred dollars.[6] Wozniak demonstrated the first prototype in July 1976 at the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, California, impressing the Byte Shop, an early computer retailer.[7] After securing an order for 50 computers, Jobs was able to order the parts on credit and deliver the first Apple products after ten days.[8]
The Apple I was one of the first computers available that used the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor. An expansion included a BASIC interpreter, allowing users to utilize BASIC at home instead of at institutions with mainframe computers, greatly lowering the entry cost for computing with BASIC.
Production was discontinued on September 30, 1977, after the June 10, 1977 introduction of its successor, the Apple II, which Byte magazine referred to as part of the "1977 Trinity" of personal computing (along with the PET 2001 from Commodore Business Machines and the TRS-80 Model I from Tandy Corporation).[9] As relatively few computers were made before they were discontinued, coupled with their status as Apple's first product, surviving Apple I units are now displayed in computer museums.[10]
History
Development
.jpg){kind=link}
In 1974, while visiting famous phone phreak John Draper in California, Steve Wozniak watched him connect a modem to the ARPANET – the precursor to the internet – and use a teleprinter to play chess with someone from Boston; this inspired him to make a cheap terminal that used an inexpensive keyboard from Sears and a standard TV.[12] Later in March 1975, Wozniak started attending meetings of the Homebrew Computer Club, which was a major source of inspiration for him.[13]Template:Sfn[14] New microcomputers such as the Altair 8800 inspired Wozniak to build a microprocessor into his video terminal circuit to make a complete computer.[15] At the time the only appropriate CPUs available were the Intel 8080 and the Motorola 6800. Of these options, Wozniak preferred the 6800, though he was financially unable to obtain either. Instead, he began designing computers on paper until he could afford a CPU.[16]
When the $25 MOS Technology 6502 was released in late 1975,Template:Efn Wozniak wrote a version of BASIC for it, then began to design a computer for it to run on. The 6502 was developed by many of the same engineers that designed the 6800, as many in Silicon Valley left employers to form their own companies. Wozniak's earlier 6800 computer design needed only minor changes to run on the new processor.
By March 1, 1976, Wozniak completed the basic design of his computer.[17]Template:Sfn Wozniak originally offered the design to HP while working there, but it was rejected by the company on five occasions.[18] When he demonstrated his computer at the Homebrew Computer Club, his friend and fellow club regular Steve Jobs was immediately interested in its commercial potential.[19] Wozniak intended to share schematics of the machine for free; however, Jobs advised him to start a business together and sell bare printed circuit boards (PCBs) for the computer, without any components soldered on.Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn Wozniak, at first skeptical, was later convinced by Jobs that even if they were not successful they could at least say to their grandchildren that they had had their own company. To raise the money they needed to build the first batch of the circuit boards, Wozniak sold his HP-65 scientific calculator while Jobs sold his Volkswagen van.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Template:External media After the company was formed a month later, Jobs and Wozniak gave a presentation of the fully assembled "Apple Computer A" at the Homebrew Computer Club.Template:Sfn[20][21] Paul Terrell, who was starting a new computer shop in Mountain View, California, called the Byte Shop,[22] saw the presentation and was impressed by the machine.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Terrell told Jobs that he would order 50 units of the Apple I and pay $500 eachTemplate:Efn on delivery, but only if they came fully assembledTemplate:Sndhe was not interested in buying bare printed circuit boards with no components.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn[23]Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Wozniak had designed the electrical circuit, but the board design for the Apple 1 was done by Howard Cantin, a PCB layout engineer at Atari.[24][25]
Jobs took the purchase order from the Byte Shop to national electronic parts distributor Cramer Electronics, and ordered the components needed. When asked by the credit manager how he would pay for the parts, Jobs replied, "I have this purchase order from the Byte Shop chain of computer stores for 50 of my computers and the payment terms are COD. If you give me the parts on net 30-day terms I can build and deliver the computers in that time frame, collect my money from Terrell at the Byte Shop and pay you."[8][26]
To verify the purchase order, the credit manager called Paul Terrell, who assured him if the computers showed up, Jobs would have more than enough money for the parts order. The two Steves and their small crew spent day and night building and testing the computers, and delivered to Terrell on time. Terrell was surprised to receive a batch of assembled circuit boards, as he had expected complete computers with a case, monitor and keyboard.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Nonetheless, he kept his word and paid the two Steves the money promised.[27]Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn[28]
Announcement and sales
The Apple I went on sale in July 1976 at a price of Template:USD.Template:Efn Wozniak later said he had no idea about the relation between the number and the number of the beast, and that he came up with the price because he liked "repeating digits"[27][29] and because it was a one-third markup on the Template:US$ wholesale price.Template:Sfn Jobs had managed to get the inventory into the nation's first four storefront microcomputer retailers: Byte Shop (Palo Alto, California), itty bitty machine company (Evanston, Illinois), Data Domain (Bloomington, Indiana), and Computer Mart (New York City).[30]
The first unit produced was used in a high school math class, and donated to Liza Loop's public-access computer center.[31] About 200 units were produced, and all but 25 were sold within nine or ten months.[26]
In April 1977, the price was dropped to $475.Template:Efn[32] It continued to be sold through August 1977, despite the introduction of the Apple II in April 1977, which began shipping in June of that year.[33] In October 1977, the Apple I was officially discontinued and removed from Apple's price list.[34] As Wozniak was the only person who could answer most customer support questions about the computer, the company offered Apple I owners discounts and trade-ins for Apple IIs to persuade them to return their computers.[35] These recovered boards were then destroyed by Apple, contributing to their later rarity.[36]
Both Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak have stated that Apple did not assign serial numbers to the Apple l. Several boards have been found with numbered stickers affixed to them, which appear to be inspection stickers from the PCB manufacturer/assembler. A batch of boards is known to have numbers hand-written in black permanent marker on the back; these usually appear as "01-00##". As of January 2022, 29 Apple-1s with a serial number are known. The highest known number is Template:Not a typo. Two original Apple-1s have been analyzed by Professional Sports Authenticator in Los Angeles, concluding that the serial numbers had been hand-written by Steve Jobs.[37]
Hardware
Template:Multiple image The Apple I used a MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor running at Template:Val, and its design was based largely on Wozniak's previous work centered around a Motorola 6800.[38] The unconventional clock speed was chosen to be a fraction (<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />2⁄7) of the NTSC color carrier, which simplified video circuitry. Template:Val of memory was included on the base machine, which was expandable to Template:Val on-board and up to Template:Val by using an add-on card. On-board memory utilized newly available 4Kbit DRAM chips, and was designed to be upgradeable to the next generation of 16Kbit chips for a maximum of Template:Val on-board memory.[39] An optional $75 plug-in cassette interface card allowed users to store programs on ordinary audio cassette tapes. A BASIC interpreter, originally written by Wozniak, was provided with the cassette interface that let users easily write programs and play simple games. An onboard AC power supply was included.
The Apple I did not come with a case. It could be used bare, although some users chose to build custom (typically wooden) enclosures.[40]
Memory map
| Address | Size | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0x0000 - 0x0023 | 36 Bytes | RAM | 4K systems
(minimal system, cannot load wozbasic) |
| 0x0024 - 0x002B | 8 Bytes | wozmon variables | |
| 0x002C - 0x00FF | 212 Bytes | RAM | |
| 0x0100 - 0x01FF | 256 Bytes | 6502 processor stack | |
| 0x0200 - 0x027F | 128 Bytes | wozmon keyboard input buffer | |
| 0x0280 - 0x0FFF | 3456 Bytes | RAM | |
| 0x1000 - 0xC027 | Unused | User expandable RAM / IO | |
| 0xC028 | 1 Byte | ACI port to write to cassette | |
| 0xC029 - 0xC0FF | Unused | User expandable RAM / IO | |
| 0xC100 - 0xC1FF | 256 Bytes | ACI ROM | When ACI card is inserted |
| 0xC200 - 0xD00F | Unused | User expandable RAM / IO | |
| 0xD010 - 0xD013 | 4 Bytes | PIA (Peripheral Interface Adapter) | Keyboard and Display |
| 0xD014 - 0xDFFF | Unused | User expandable RAM / IO | |
| 0xE000 - 0xEFFF | 4Ki (4096 Bytes) | RAM | 8K systems
(standard system, can load wozbasic) |
| 0xF000 - 0xFEFF | Unused | User expandable RAM / IO | |
| 0xFF00 - 0xFFFF | 256 Bytes | PROM (wozmon) | Programmable read-only memory |
Video and Input
The Apple I included built-in computer terminal circuitry with composite video output. To use the computer, a user-supplied composite monitor and ASCII-encoded keyboard needed to be connected. If a monitor was not available, a standard television set could be used along with an RF modulator. In comparison, competing machines generally required an expensive dedicated video display terminal or teletypewriter. This, combined with its single-board construction, made the Apple I an elegant and inexpensive machine for its day, though competitors such as the Sol-20 and Sphere 1 offered similar feature sets.
Script error: No such module "anchor".The computer generated its video output using a shift register memory and a Signetics 2513 64×8×5 Character Generator.[41] It was capable of displaying uppercase characters, numbers and basic punctuation and math symbols with a 5x8 pixel font:[42]
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Apple Cassette Interface expansion
Template:Listen image A cassette interface was available in the form of an optional add-on for the Apple I's expansion slot. A cassette deck plugged in to the expansion's phone connector ports could be written to and read from as a form of removable storage. The only alternative to the interface for loading programs was typing machine code by hand, making the add-on "ubiquitous".Template:Sfn
The expansion came with a free cassette tape containing Steve Wozniak's Integer BASIC interpreter. Other software tapes were supplied "at minimal cost"[39] including ported video games such as Hamurabi, Lunar Lander and Star Trek.[32]
Conservation
Only about 200 Apple I boards were produced,[26] and Template:As of the whereabouts of 62 to 82 are known.[43] After the success of the Apple II, and of Apple broadly, the Apple I was recognized as an important historical computer.[44][45] According to the 1986 Apple IIe Owner's Guide, an Apple I was then worth "between $10,000 and $15,000"Template:Efn[46] and a board was reportedly sold for $50,000 in 1999.Template:Efn[47]
In November 2010, an Apple I with a cache of original documents and packaging sold for £133,250 ($Template:To USD round)Template:Efn at Christie's auction house in London. The documents included the return label showing Steve Jobs's parents' address, a personally typed and signed letter from Jobs (answering technical questions about the computer), and the invoice (listing "Steven" as the salesman). The computer was brought to Polytechnic University of Turin for restoration.[48][49][50]
In October 2014 the Henry Ford Museum purchased an Apple I at a Bonhams auction for Template:US$.Template:Efn The sale included the keyboard, monitor, cassette decks and a manual.[10] In 2017, an Apple I removed from Steve Jobs's office in 1985 by Apple quality control engineer Don Hutmacher was placed on display at Living Computers: Museum + Labs.[51]
On May 30, 2015, an elderly woman reportedly dropped off boxes of electronics for disposal at an electronics recycling center in the Silicon Valley of Northern California. Included in the electronics (removed from her garage after the death of her husband) was an original Apple I computer, which the recycling firm sold for Template:US$. When a discarded item is sold, it is the company's practice to give 50% of the proceeds to the original owner,[52][53] but the woman has not been identified.[54]
Apple I computers with original documents and memorabilia have frequently been auctioned for over $300,000 throughout the 2010s[55][56][57][58] and 2020s.[59][60] The production prototype for the Apple I survives in a badly damaged state and was itself auctioned in 2022 for $677,196.[61][20][62][63]
Replicas
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Several Apple I clones and replicas have been released in recent years. These are created by hobbyists and marketed to the hobbyist/collector community. Availability is usually limited to small runs in response to demand.[64][65][66]Template:Sfn[67][68]
Emulation
Emulation software for the Apple I has been written for modern home computers[69][70][71] and for web browsers.[72] It has also been emulated on 1980s era computers including the SAM Coupé[73] and Commodore 64.[74]
See also
Notes
References
Citations
Sources
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External links
- Apple I Owners Club
- Apple I Operational Manual (browse)
- German making-of article to recreate the Apple I Operational Manual
- Apple I project on www.sbprojects.com Template:Webarchive
- Apple 1 Computer Registry
- John Calande III blog – Building the Apple I clone, including corrections on the early history of Apple Computer
- Apple 1 | Cameron's Closet – includes display of the Apple 1's character set on real hardware, compared to on most emulators
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Apple hardware Template:Woz Template:Portal bar Template:Authority control
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Template:Cite video
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- ↑ Template:Cite video
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- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Template:Cite video
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ a b Apple I advertisement Oct 1978
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedCbs2015-05-30 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedCbc2015-05-31 - ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ replica I – the apple I(c) clone Template:Webarchive, retrieved August 15, 2009
- ↑ replica I Template:Webarchive at official Briel computers web site, retrieved August 15, 2008
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". story with pictures for assembling a Briel replica I from a kit
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Retrieved December 1, 2022
- ↑ Pom1 Apple 1 Emulator Template:Webarchive, retrieved July 17, 2013
- ↑ CocoaPom Apple 1 Emulator Template:Webarchive, retrieved July 17, 2013
- ↑ Sim6502 Apple I emulator Template:Webarchive retrieved July 17, 2013
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedScullInSteel - ↑ Apple 1 Emulator - SAM Coupé Template:Webarchive, retrieved July 17, 2013
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
