Apple introduced the Macintosh personal computer in 1984 and later became one of the world’s largest companies by market capitalization.
The Macintosh was announced during a famous Super Bowl XVIII television advertisement directed by Ridley Scott. Apple launched the computer on January 24, 1984, presenting it as a user-friendly alternative to more technically oriented machines. Its graphical interface and mouse helped popularize ideas that later became standard in personal computing.
Apple was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. The company’s later growth came from products including the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac, together with services such as the App Store. The iPhone, introduced in 2007, became especially important to Apple’s revenue and valuation.
Apple’s corporate name was changed from Apple Computer, Inc. to Apple Inc. in 2007, reflecting its expansion beyond computers. It is often confused with Apple Records, the music label founded by the Beatles.