50 Years of Microsoft
Welcome to the Maech 2025 issue of Ken’s Korner Newsletter.

A Legacy of Innovation.
Greetings, loyal readers, tech enthusiasts and history buffs alike! As a techie and a history buff I would like to take a few moments and salute one of the pillars of the computer world.

This month, we’re raising a virtual toast to Microsoft as it marks its 50th anniversary. A monumental milestone for a company that has shaped not just technology, but the way we live, work, and play. From a controversial startup in 1975 to a global powerhouse driving the AI revolution, Microsoft’s journey is a testament to vision, perseverance, and adaptability. Let’s dive into the story of how it all began, reflect on its role in the computer industry’s evolution, and peek at where it’s headed next.

I can hardly believe that it was fifty years ago. Like many of you I am old enough to remember a world before computers and the introduction of the Personal Computer. I was just a kid back then. UNIX was the “real” operating system and DOS was only a plaything.

The Beginning: A Spark in Albuquerque
Picture this: it’s 1975, and the world is on the cusp of a digital revolution. Personal computers are little more than a dream for hobbyists. That January, Popular Electronics magazine features the MITS Altair 8800—a clunky, kit-based computer that captures the imagination of two young friends, Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Inspired, they wrote a BASIC interpreter for the Altair, a program that makes the machine usable for more than just blinking lights. With $16,000 in revenue that year, they found "Micro-soft" (yes, with a hyphen back then as it was a portmanteau of "microcomputer" and "software") on April 4, 1975, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their vision? A computer on every desk and in every home—a wild idea when most people still typed on typewriters.

The duo’s big break comes in 1980, when IBM taps Microsoft to provide an operating system for its first personal computer. Enter MS-DOS, (Disk Operating System), a text-based system that becomes the backbone of the PC boom. In November 1985, Microsoft releases Windows, a graphical interface that transforms computing from a geek’s pastime into a household necessity. The company moves to Redmond, Washington, in 1986, goes public at $21 per share, and by the late 1980s, it’s the world’s largest PC software maker. The stage is set.

The Computer Industry: From Room-Sized Machines to Your Pocket
Microsoft’s rise mirrors the computer industry’s own transformation. In the 1940s and ‘50s, computers were behemoths such as ENIAC, a 30-ton monster filling entire rooms for military calculations. The 1960s brought mainframes to businesses, but they were still far from personal. The 1970s changed everything: the Altair 8800, Apple I, and Commodore PET sparked the personal computing era. Microsoft rode this wave, capitalizing on the shift from hardware-driven innovation to software’s starring role.

The 1980s saw PCs explode, thanks to IBM’s open architecture and Microsoft’s software dominance. The ‘90s ushered in the internet, with Microsoft launching Internet Explorer to compete with Netscape. Meanwhile, the industry shrank computers from desktops to laptops, then to smartphones by the 2000s.

Today, cloud computing and AI define the frontier—areas where Microsoft thrives with Azure and Copilot.

Over five decades, Microsoft has notched countless wins:

• Windows 3.0 (1990): 60 million copies sold, cementing Microsoft as the PC software king.
• Xbox (2001): Bringing gaming to the masses and building a global community.
• Azure (2008): Pioneering cloud computing, now a cornerstone of modern business.
• AI Leadership: From acquiring OpenAI’s GPT-3 license in 2020 to launching Copilot, Microsoft is redefining work with artificial intelligence.

There were stumbles too—think Windows Vista or the Nokia acquisition—but Microsoft’s ability to pivot (like embracing open source under CEO Satya Nadella) keeps it ahead.

The Future: AI and Beyond
Where’s Microsoft going as it enters its sixth decade? The buzz from its Redmond HQ says AI is the heart of it. On April 4, 2025, Microsoft will host a 50th-anniversary event for employees, spotlighting Copilot—its AI companion poised to transform workflows. Think smarter Microsoft 365 tools, AI-driven cloud solutions via Azure, and maybe even quantum computing hints. The company’s also doubling down on sustainability and accessibility, aiming to empower every person and organization—a mission that has remained unchanged since 1975.

The computer industry’s next chapter looks equally thrilling. AI could make devices anticipate our needs, while quantum leaps might solve problems we can’t yet fathom. Microsoft, with its $3 trillion market cap and relentless innovation, is positioned to lead.

Join the Celebration
Microsoft’s 50 years remind us how far tech has come. Yet much more lies ahead. The ship has just left port, and the journey has just begun. Here’s to 50 more years of pushing boundaries!

If you know someone that you think would enjoy this newsletter, share it with them and ask them to join using the link at the bottom of the page.

And remember — always back it up!