Despite getting older, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates still warmly recalls the groundbreaking computer code he developed 50 years ago, which paved the way for a new era in technology.
Even though the code that Gates displayed on a teletype machine might seem primitive next to the technology driving modern AI systems, it was essential for founding Microsoft back in April 1975—a milestone that the company based in Redmond, Washington, will mark this coming Friday.
Gates, aged 69, paved the way for that celebration with a blog post Reflecting on those times when he and his former high school buddy—the now-deceased Paul Allen—rushed to establish the globe’s inaugural "software plant" following their read of an article in the January 1975 edition of Popular Electronics. The piece detailed the Altair 8800, a mini-computer set to run on a microchip crafted by the relatively unknown tech firm, Intel, at that time.
The article motivated Gates, who was merely a freshmen at Harvard University, along with Allen to contact MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems), the manufacturer of Altair, and assure their CEO Ed Roberts that they had created software allowing customers to manage the hardware. However, there was a catch: Gates and Allen didn’t actually have the code ready for Roberts yet.
Gates and Allen addressed the challenge by adopting the BASIC programming language, which was created in 1964 at Dartmouth College. However, they needed to devise a method for ensuring this tech would work seamlessly with the upcoming Altair computer, despite not having access to an actual prototype of the device.
Following two months of minimal rest dedicated to developing the software, Gates completed the code that formed the foundation for the Altair’s initial operating system. "This piece of coding ranks as the most impressive I've ever done," he stated in his blog entry, where there is also an opportunity to obtain the original program via download.
This code went on to establish the groundwork for a company that made personal computers ubiquitous in households through a range of software including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications, along with the Windows OS which continues to drive most PCs nowadays.
"That marked the revolution," Gates stated regarding the code. in a video Alongside his post, he stated, "That was what introduced the era of personal computing."
Part of Gates' nostalgia this year, as he gears up for his 70th birthday in October, involves reminiscing about the code.
The journey down nostalgia road featured the February launch of a memoir delving into his formative years as a frequently misinterpreted youngster who had trouble making friends, along with celebrating the 25th anniversary of the charitable organization he established following his exit from Microsoft’s top role in 2000. After Gates left, the company faced initial challenges but has flourished since Satya Nadella took over as CEO, currently boasting a market capitalization of approximately $2.8 trillion.
In his memoir, Gates also reflected on his tempestuous relationship with fellow PC pioneer, the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, whose company will be celebrating its golden anniversary next year.
Fifty years is quite extensive," Gates commented, with his individual wealth assessed at approximately $108 billion. "It’s absurd that the vision became a reality.