The Original Code that Started it All: Bill Gates Shares Microsoft’s Humble Beginnings

As we celebrate Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, Bill Gates has taken a trip down memory lane, sharing the original source code that started it all. In a recent post on his Gates Notes blog, Gates reminisces about the early days of the company, and the code that he calls “the coolest code I’ve ever written.” In this post, we’ll dive into the story behind the code, and explore the trends and insights that have shaped the tech industry over the past five decades.

The Birth of Microsoft

In January 1975, Bill Gates and his Harvard pal Paul Allen were inspired by a cover photo of the Altair 8800 in Popular Electronics magazine. The Altair was a groundbreaking personal computer created by a small company called MITS, and Gates and Allen saw an opportunity to create a version of the programming language BASIC for the chip that the Altair ran on. However, there was a problem – they didn’t have the code yet.

Gates and his friends “coded day and night for two months to create the software we said already existed.” The result was a working version of BASIC, which they presented to the president of MITS. The company agreed to license the software, and “Altair BASIC became the first product of our new company, which we decided to call Micro-Soft.” The rest, as they say, is software history.

The Code that Started it All

Gates has shared the original source code on his blog, and it’s a fascinating glimpse into the early days of Microsoft. The code is a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance, and it’s a reminder that even the most successful companies started with humble beginnings.

Trends and Insights

As we look back on the past 50 years of Microsoft, several trends and insights stand out. Firstly, the importance of partnerships and collaborations cannot be overstated. Gates and Allen’s partnership with MITS was a key factor in the success of their early endeavors.

Secondly, the willingness to take risks and push boundaries is essential for innovation. Gates and his friends coded day and night for two months to create the software they said already existed – a bold move that paid off in the end.

Finally, the code that started it all is a reminder that even the most successful companies started with a single idea or concept. Microsoft’s early days were marked by a focus on creating software for the Altair 8800, and the company’s success was built on that foundation.

Actionable Insights

So, what can we learn from the code that started it all? Here are a few actionable insights:

• Partnerships matter: Building strong relationships with other companies and individuals can be a key factor in success.
• Take risks: Don’t be afraid to push boundaries and try new things – it’s often the most innovative ideas that lead to the greatest success.
• Focus on a single idea: Identify a single concept or idea that you’re passionate about, and focus on building it into a reality.

Conclusion

The original source code that started Microsoft is a fascinating glimpse into the early days of the company. It’s a reminder that even the most successful companies started with humble beginnings, and that innovation and perseverance are key to success. As we look to the future, it’s exciting to think about what the next 50 years of Microsoft will bring.

Summary

In this post, we’ve explored the story behind the original source code that started Microsoft. We’ve seen how Bill Gates and his friends coded day and night to create the software they said already existed, and how their partnership with MITS led to the creation of the company’s first product. We’ve also identified several trends and insights that have shaped the tech industry over the past five decades, and provided actionable advice for entrepreneurs and innovators.