Microsoft Celebrates 50 Years with a Historic Gift
Last week marked a significant milestone for Microsoft as the tech giant celebrated its 50th anniversary. In a heartfelt tribute, co-founder Bill Gates made headlines by publicly releasing the original source code for Altair BASIC. This pivotal software served as the cornerstone for Microsoft’s inception and evolution. The shared code, a comprehensive 157-page document, was crafted in Intel 8080 assembly language, highlighting the humble beginnings of the multi-billion dollar enterprise.
A Reflective Retrospective from Bill Gates
In an introspective blog post that begins with the words, “Before there was Office or Windows 95 or Xbox or AI, there was Altair BASIC, ”Gates nostalgically referred to the code as “the coolest” he has ever written. This sentiment underscores the profound impact that Altair BASIC has had not just on Gates personally, but on the entire technology landscape.
The Genesis of Altair BASIC
The journey of Altair BASIC commenced in 1975 when a young Gates, while still a freshman at Harvard University, along with his friend Paul Allen, were captivated by an article in Popular Electronics magazine featuring the Altair 8800 computer, which operated on Intel’s 8080 chip. At a time when personal computing was still in its infancy, the pair discerned a remarkable opportunity. They reached out to Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS), the Altair’s manufacturer, proposing innovative software to enhance the usability of the hardware.
After a rigorous two-month development period, Gates and Allen successfully developed Altair BASIC, employing the BASIC programming language that had its roots at Dartmouth College in 1964. This monumental achievement marked the launch of Microsoft’s first product, which was originally licensed to MITS. Fun fact: at that time, the company was known as “Micro-Soft.”You can explore the origins and significance of this early product further through this
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Acknowledging Legacy and Leadership
In reflecting on the incredible journey of Microsoft over the past five decades, Gates expressed gratitude to those who succeeded him, including influential leaders like Steve Ballmer and current CEO Satya Nadella. He also recognized the countless employees who have contributed to shaping the company’s trajectory during these years.
For those interested in reading more about this pivotal moment in Microsoft’s history, you can find Gates’ full blog post on The Gates Notes website.
To learn more, check out an insightful piece on this celebration through this source.
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