Joining Apple Computer

The Original Macintosh: 1 of 125 Joining Apple Computer Author: Bill Atkinson Date: April 1979 Characters: Bill Atkinson, Jef Raskin, Steve Jobs, Susan Kare Topics: Inspiration, MacPaint, QuickDraw, HyperCard Summary: Reflections on the 40th anniversary of my joining Apple 40 years ago today, I joined Apple Computer on April 27, 1978. It was a big turning point in my life and I am glad I said "Yes". I was working on my PhD in neuroscience with Doug Bowden at the University of Washington Regional Primate Research Center. Jef Raskin, a professor and friend from my undergraduate days at UC San Diego, called and urged me to join him at an exciting new startup called Apple Computer. I told him I had to finish my PhD, a required credential for researching brains and consciousness. But Jef would not take "No" for an answer, and sent me roundtrip airplane tickets with a note: "Just visit for a weekend, no strings attached." My dad lived in nearby Los Gatos so I decided to visit. I don ... Read full article.