On April 1st, Apple celebrates its 50th anniversary, an incredible achievement made possible by a group of creative minds and ambitious souls. At iPhone Islam, we decided to highlight 50 individuals who left an indelible mark on the company's history, whether they were employees who spent decades behind their desks or external influencers who never worked within the company's walls but completely changed its course. This list reflects opinions you may disagree with, but it undoubtedly opens the door to discussion about who truly deserves the title of "Apple's makers."
From behind the scenes of public relations to the board of directors
We begin our list at number 50 with Kitty CottonKitty, a public relations legend who joined Apple in 1996, was more than just an employee; she was the true architect of the secretive culture Apple is known for today. Working alongside Steve Jobs for 15 years, she wielded both skill and ruthlessness in controlling the company's media presence. Kitty passed away in 2023, but her legacy of protecting Apple's privacy and prestige lives on in the halls of Apple Park.
As for the forty-ninth place, we find Al GoreFormer US Vice President Al Gore. Some might wonder why he's on the list, but Gore joined Apple's board of directors after losing the presidential election, bringing with him political weight and experience in managing large organizations. Jobs himself described him at the time as possessing tremendous wisdom that helped the company make major strategic decisions and adopt environmental policies that are evident in our products today.
CEOs and competitors who changed the game
In forty-eighth place comes Michael SpindlerOne of the seven CEOs who led Apple, he took the helm from 1993 to 1996. While his tenure wasn't exactly a "golden age," he is credited with launching the first Macs powered by PowerPC processors and pioneering the bold Mac cloning licensing policy. Spindler attempted to merge the company with IBM at a time when it was struggling, and despite his failures, he remained an integral part of the company's survival throughout the 1990s.
One cannot talk about Apple's history without mentioning To the devil Which we place in forty-seventh place. For Apple enthusiasts, Gates is the eternal rival. But the bitter truth What might surprise some is that Apple might not have survived without Microsoft's $150 million investment in 1997. It was Gates who made this pivotal decision, giving the company the oxygen it needed to pull itself back from the brink of bankruptcy. It was a dramatic deal, but it ended well for everyone involved.
First-generation engineers and cinematic creators
In forty-sixth place, the name stands out Bob BellvilleHis story with Jobs encapsulates the harsh realities of working at Apple. Jobs lured him away from Xerox with a humiliating statement: “Everything you’ve ever done is crap, so why don’t you come work for me?” Surprisingly, Bellville agreed! He spent three years leading the Macintosh engineering and developing the LaserWriter printer. Bellville later admitted that working for Jobs drained his life and ruined his marriage, but he genuinely wept when his former boss died.
As for Chris EspinozaRanked 45th, Chris is the epitome of loyalty. He joined Apple as employee number 8 in 1976 at the young age of 14 and remains with the company to this day! Chris has done everything, from writing operational manuals to working on Xcode and AppleScript. He is the company's living memory, the man who has witnessed every detail of Apple's journey from the garage to the present day.
Speaking of creativity, the director Ridley Scott In 44th place. Scott didn't design a computer, but he directed the greatest television commercial in history: the "1984" ad introducing the Macintosh. Inspired by George Orwell's novel, the ad never actually featured the product, but it created an aura of rebellion and distinction around Apple, setting it apart from the rest of the world.
Between energy, retail, and forgotten friendships
In forty-third place we find Rod HoltEmployee number 5, Roald Holt, was a senior engineer when Steve Jobs asked for his help. Holt designed a revolutionary power supply for the Apple II that was vital to its commercial success. Despite initially being skeptical of "those guys," he rose to become chief engineer and vice president of engineering, helping to establish the technological foundations upon which the company was built.
The forty-second place goes to Angela ArendtAngela, the former CEO of Burberry, was a rare female figure in Apple's top leadership and left an indelible mark on the concept of Apple stores worldwide. She transformed the stores from mere retail outlets into community hubs and luxury destinations, leveraging her deep expertise in fashion and luxury to enhance the brand's value.
We conclude this section with the forty-first position with Daniel KotkeKotke was a close friend of Steve Jobs's since their college days. He traveled with Jobs to India in search of enlightenment and was Apple's 12th employee. He assembled circuit boards and built prototypes for the Mac. Unfortunately, his relationship with Jobs ended dramatically when the latter refused to give him any shares when the company went public, coldly stating, "I'll give him zero." Kotke's story serves as a constant reminder of the dark and volatile side of Apple's legendary founder.
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