More than three decades ago, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were like two pirates in this world... In 20xx, both of them were 55 years old.
In 1975, the world's first personal computer, the Altair, emerged. Now, just 37 years later, it feels as if only a moment has passed, yet the personal computer has transformed into a massive industry with annual sales of 300 million units and an annual output value exceeding 20xx billion dollars.
It is hard to imagine that just over thirty years ago, computers were merely toys for a small group of science geeks. Jobs and Gates, however, were the two pirates who revolutionized the computer world.
Today, Jobs has become a cultural idol for a generation; he is a trendsetter and the ultimate embodiment of "cool." Bill Gates remains the richest person in the world and has gradually transformed from a shrewd capitalist into a philanthropist.
The differences between Jobs and Gates are far less than people imagine; however, their connections are far greater than people realize.
A Coincidental Revolution
In 1975, Bill Gates contributed $909, and Paul Allen contributed $606, marking the birth of Microsoft.
In 1976, Wozniak sold his beloved HP 65 programmable computer, and Jobs sold his Volkswagen. They pooled $1,000 as start-up capital, and Apple Inc. was born.
The First Encounter
"Hello, I am Bill Gates." He extended his hand to Jobs. Surrounded by a crowd, Jobs was enjoying the feeling of being a star for the first time in his life. He didn't even glance at Gates, following the flow of people back to the side of the booth.
1977, the West Coast Computer Faire. Jobs rented a prominent booth at the main entrance of the exhibition hall for a high price of $5,000, planning to launch Apple's second-generation product, the Apple II, there.
If previously only enthusiasts and engineers obsessed with circuit boards understood how to use the world's first personal computer, now the first personal computer designed for ordinary consumers had arrived. Although the Apple II had Wozniak's heart, it also possessed Jobs' soul—this merchant, once fascinated by calligraphy and Eastern philosophy, understood better than anyone how important design sense was to consumers.
As the doors slowly opened, thousands of eager young people rushed into the hall, including the still-unknown Bill Gates.
"Hello, I am Bill Gates." He extended his hand to Jobs again. However, the mobbed Jobs was immersed in the thrill of stardom and didn't look at Gates at all, just following the crowd back to the booth.
"Hey, what are you doing? That is Bill Gates!" Wozniak whispered anxiously.
"Yes. But this is the first time in my life that someone is coming to find me, instead of me going to find them," Jobs said casually. He continued to explain his "child" to his first fans, leaving Gates completely ignored.
The arrogant Jobs never imagined that years later, this small, thick-glass-wearing man would "revenge" in a way hundreds of times more effective, using Jobs' own methods against him.
