In the early days of the microcomputer revolution, a young Steve Jobs, aged just 19, was on the cusp of transforming the world as we knew it. Operating from his parents’ house in Los Altos, California, Jobs was in the midst of producing the groundbreaking Apple-1 computer. Alongside Steve Wozniak, he would go on to create a technological marvel that would not only revolutionize the computing industry but also pave the way for the birth of the now-legendary Silicon Valley.
In a series of letters recently uncovered, Jobs details five programs that accompanied the Apple-1. These programs, a mix of games and essential software tools, were key components in the early success of the Apple-1 and the subsequent growth of the microcomputer market. Among these programs were BASIC, a high-level programming language that made coding more accessible, and DIS-ASSEMBLER, a software tool designed to convert machine code back into assembly language.
The letters themselves are a treasure trove of insight into Jobs’s early career. Littered with spelling errors and hand-written corrections by the man himself, they reveal the raw, unfiltered ambition and determination that would propel him to international stardom. The inclusion of Gene Carter’s name and phone number, Apple’s first Sales Manager, is a telling sign of the company’s rapid growth – a testament to the power and potential of Jobs’s creation.
But the story doesn’t end there. These letters also shed light on the critical role played by dealers in the early days of the microcomputer market. One such dealer, simply referred to as “Ed,” was almost certainly Edward Faber – a visionary who would go on to become president of ComputerLand, a pioneering computer store chain that played a pivotal role in the growth of the industry in the 1980s.
The success of ComputerLand, and its franchising across the United States, was in many ways a reflection of the microcomputer revolution brought about by the success of the Apple-1 and subsequent models. As the market continued to expand, so too did the need for accessible retail spaces where customers could purchase, service, and explore the possibilities of these new technological wonders.
In conclusion, these remarkable letters offer a unique glimpse into the early days of the microcomputer revolution, spearheaded by the brilliant and driven Steve Jobs. They remind us of the immense power of innovation and the ripple effect it can have on the world at large. The story of the Apple-1, ComputerLand, and the birth of Silicon Valley is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and our relentless pursuit of progress.
