Apple was co-founded in 1976 by computer engineer Steve Wozniak.
Wozniak designed the Apple I and Apple II computers, supplying much of the engineering expertise behind Apple’s earliest products. Steve Jobs helped shape the product vision and business direction, while Ronald Wayne was briefly involved as a third co-founder.
A common mix-up is crediting Jobs alone with inventing Apple’s first computers. Jobs was central to the company’s creation and later became its best-known leader, but Wozniak built the original computer designs. The Apple II, introduced in 1977, became one of the first widely successful mass-produced personal computers.
Apple later expanded far beyond computers into music players, smartphones, tablets, wearables and services. Its huge market value reflects the scale of that global ecosystem, not just its early personal-computer business.