Apple was formed 50 years ago, with key early decisions by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and more still influential today. The company's CEO, Tim Cook, acknowledged the significance of the milestone in February 2026, ahead of a worldwide celebration. The event was part of a celebration of Apple's 50th anniversary, with Cook promising to celebrate with a global celebration on March 12, 2026. Apple's first employee, Ron Wayne, resigned 12 days after the founding, but chose to be bought out by Jobs for $4.800800. Markkula, who was an experienced businessman and investor, also made a significant contribution to Apple's success. Despite leaving the company before it took off, Apple's founder Steve Jobs left the company even faster than anticipated.