January 3, 1977: Apple Computer Officially Incorporated

On January 3, 1977, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak officially incorporated Apple Computer, Inc., transforming their year old garage partnership into a formal business. This paperwork filing marked the beginning of a company that would revolutionize personal computing and become the most valuable corporation in history.

Why January 3rd Was Chosen for Incorporation

Jobs and Wozniak chose January 3, 1977 for practical tax reasons rather than symbolic ones. Incorporating at the start of the new year simplified their accounting and tax filing for 1977. The timing also allowed them to immediately start fresh financial records. Third founder Mike Markkula, a former Intel executive, invested $250,000 and insisted on formal incorporation to protect the investment.

The Third Founder Who Walked Away From Billions

Ronald Wayne became Apple's third cofounder on April 1, 1976, owning 10 percent of the company. Wayne drafted the original partnership agreement and designed Apple's first logo showing Isaac Newton under an apple tree. Nervous about potential debts and lacking faith in the company's future, Wayne sold his 10 percent stake for just $800 after only 12 days. That stake would be worth over $300 billion today.

The Garage Myth That Shaped Tech Culture

The famous story of Apple starting in Steve Jobs' parents' garage is partly true but misleading. Jobs and Wozniak actually built the first Apple computers in Jobs' bedroom, only moving to the garage for assembly and testing. The garage story became powerful mythology that inspired countless entrepreneurs. Silicon Valley startups still reference the garage origin story as proof that billion dollar companies can start anywhere.

How Mike Markkula Made Apple Professional

Mike Markkula's $250,000 investment and business expertise transformed Apple from a hobby into a real company. He wrote the business plan, secured a line of credit, and recruited professional management. Markkula insisted on incorporation, proper accounting, and marketing strategy. Without his financial backing and business acumen, Apple likely would have remained a small operation selling computer kits to hobbyists.

From Apple Computer to Just Apple

The company operated as Apple Computer, Inc. for 30 years until January 9, 2007, when Steve Jobs announced the name change to simply Apple Inc. This reflected Apple's evolution beyond computers into phones, music players, and tablets. Dropping Computer from the name signaled the company's transformation into a consumer electronics and services powerhouse.

Apple's Impact on Personal Computing

Apple's incorporation legitimized personal computers as consumer products rather than hobbyist toys. The Apple II, launched months after incorporation, became the first mass market personal computer. Apple pioneered the graphical interface, mouse, and user friendly design that made computers accessible to everyone. Today's smartphones, tablets, and laptops all descend from innovations Apple commercialized after that January 3rd incorporation.