Historical Timeline of Apple Inc
Apple Case Study
Historical Timeline of Apple Inc.
Apple Incorporated has come a long way over the years, starting more than 3 decades ago in 1976. Apple was founded by Steve jobs, Steve Wonzniak and Ronald Wayne initially entering a niche market in the production of the first computer, the Apple I, followed by the Apple II in 1978. Apple began its career as a successful company based upon strategic innovation, and they remain that way today, but it wasn’t always sunshine and lollipops, they experienced their fair share of struggles too.
IBM entered the market in 1981 and gave Apple its first real competition. Apple managed to bounce back and thrived on this competition to abolish complacency and starting findings new ways to stay on top. Macintosh was released in 1984 and they focused on that for the 1980’s and 1990’s. The emphasis Apple put into the Macintosh turned out not being the best decision for the company, and they almost went bankrupt in 1996. What Apple did in response makes them the powerhouse company they are today. In 2001 they released the iPod along with opening their first retail store in Maclean Virginia. The retail store was a huge success for Apple as it allowed them to build a relationship with their customers in person, an advantage they had over their competitors. Apple continued to create other new, revolutionary products such as the iPhone in 2007, the iTouch in 2007 and the iPad in 2010.
As this course is based upon Strategic Leadership the history of Apple’s managerial progress is an interesting timeline in itself. Steve Jobs was the head of Apple since its creation in 1976 up until he supposedly resigned in 1985. John Sculley and Michael Spindler had shorts stints as CEO until Gil Amelio took over in 1996. Amelio turned out to be a huge mistake for Apple as he nearly forced them bankrupt. Due to this disaster Apple decided to call back Steve Jobs to CEO who became the official head again in 1997. Jobs has since turned the
Historical Timeline of Apple Inc.
Apple Incorporated has come a long way over the years, starting more than 3 decades ago in 1976. Apple was founded by Steve jobs, Steve Wonzniak and Ronald Wayne initially entering a niche market in the production of the first computer, the Apple I, followed by the Apple II in 1978. Apple began its career as a successful company based upon strategic innovation, and they remain that way today, but it wasn’t always sunshine and lollipops, they experienced their fair share of struggles too.
IBM entered the market in 1981 and gave Apple its first real competition. Apple managed to bounce back and thrived on this competition to abolish complacency and starting findings new ways to stay on top. Macintosh was released in 1984 and they focused on that for the 1980’s and 1990’s. The emphasis Apple put into the Macintosh turned out not being the best decision for the company, and they almost went bankrupt in 1996. What Apple did in response makes them the powerhouse company they are today. In 2001 they released the iPod along with opening their first retail store in Maclean Virginia. The retail store was a huge success for Apple as it allowed them to build a relationship with their customers in person, an advantage they had over their competitors. Apple continued to create other new, revolutionary products such as the iPhone in 2007, the iTouch in 2007 and the iPad in 2010.
As this course is based upon Strategic Leadership the history of Apple’s managerial progress is an interesting timeline in itself. Steve Jobs was the head of Apple since its creation in 1976 up until he supposedly resigned in 1985. John Sculley and Michael Spindler had shorts stints as CEO until Gil Amelio took over in 1996. Amelio turned out to be a huge mistake for Apple as he nearly forced them bankrupt. Due to this disaster Apple decided to call back Steve Jobs to CEO who became the official head again in 1997. Jobs has since turned the