12 little-known facts about Apple

12 little-known facts about Apple

Technology giant Apple briefly displaced energy major Exxon Mobil to become the country's most valuable company. For several trading hours, the Steve Jobs-led maker of iPhones and iPads was on top of the stock market charts, surpassing Exxon. Exxon has held the top spot since 2005.Just over five-year-old in the smartphone industry, the company recently dethroned BlackBerry and Nokia from the top perch. Here are some little-known facts about the tech giant.

1. Apple welcomes IBM

Apple's most well-known ad campaign was the one where it welcomed IBM into the personal computer industry. The ad was published in the Wall Street Journal and read as follows:

"Welcome, IBM. Seriously. Welcome to the most exciting and important marketplace since the computer revolution began 35 years ago. And congratulations on your first personal computer. Putting real computer power in the hands of the individual is already improving the way people work, think, learn, communicate, and spend their leisure hours. Computer literacy is fast becoming as fundamental a skill as reading or writing.When we invented the first personal computer system, we estimated that over 140,000,000 people worldwide could justify the purchase of one, if only they understood its benefits. Next year alone, we project that well over 1,000,000 will come to that understanding. Over the next decade, the growth of the personal computer will continue in logarithmic leaps.We look forward to responsible competition in the massive effort to distribute this American technology to the world. And we appreciate the magnitude of your commitment. Because what we are doing is increasing social capital by enhancing individual productivity. Welcome to the task Apple.

2. Newton' logo

The first logo of Apple had a picture of famous scientist Isaac Newton - the man behind the theory of gravity. It is believed that this theory took shape after Newton saw an apple fall in his orchard.

Apple literally translated Newton's personal experience on to its first logo. The logo had Newton sitting under a tree with an apple about to fall on his head. The logo was, however, used only for Apple I.


3. Not fooling
No joke intended, but Apple came into being in on all Fools Day, April 1, 1976!


4. Apple owns 'moof

Clarus the Dogcow

Apple invented the 'Dogcow' in 1983. The sound made by this hybrid invention was 'moof.' The Dogcow soon rose to popularity and featured in several advertisements.
Apple later registered the trademark for both Dogcow and the 'moof' sound. The Dogcow was a part of all versions of the Macintosh operating system until MacOS X.


5. Apple's bite

Ever wondered why Apple's logo shows a bitten apple? This was reportedly done to differentiate it from a cherry. The earliest image shown on the Macintosh was of the Disney character Scrooge McDuck.


6. Macintosh is an Apple variety

Jef Raskin, a computer interface expert at Apple, is regarded as the brain behind the company's line of Macintosh computers. The name 'Macintosh' came from a variety of apples known as 'McIntosh.'


7. Apple has three founders

So you thought Apple only had Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak as its founders? Not really. Besides, Jobs and Wozniak Apple initially had a third founder named Ronald Wayne.He had a 10 per cent stake in Apple Computers which he is said to have given up for $800 and then forfeited the right to any future claims against Apple for an additional $1,500.


8. Machine over man

For once it was 'machine' over 'man.' In 1982, Apple CEO and founder Steve Jobs was up for the title of the Time magazine's 'Man of the Year'. Several interviews with Jobs were reportedly lined up for this purpose. However, once the magazine came out it was 'the computer' that was hailed as the machine of the year


9. Made digital camera

There are few who would relate Apple with photography, however, the company actually launched a digital camera called QuickTake 100 in the US in 1994. Binocular-shaped Apple QuickTake 100 weighed approximately 454gm and was designed in cooperation with Kodak and Chinon.

The camera reportedly included 1MB of flash memoryand could take between eight and 32 photos, depending on resolutio. It worked only with the Apple Macintosh. The QuickTake line expanded to more models before it was shut down in 1997 after Steve Job's return at Apple.


10. Apple's most expensive store

Apple's store on Fifth Avenue street in Manhattan is said to be its most expensive store ever. The store is said to have cost $10 million to build.It is said to be one of the most photographed retail landmarks in the world.

11. Steve Jobs gets $1 salary
Steve Jobs gets an annual salary of $1. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that Jobs only receives $1 per year. Incidentally, he received $248,000 in 2010 for the use of his private plane for business purposes and owns 5.5 million shares of the company's stock (which makes him the company's largest shareholder).


12. Apple's largest store
Apple's largest retail store is believed to be in Regent Street in London. It is 25,000 square feet.