Bill Gates Founding of Microsoft
On April 4, 1975, childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen officially founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico, marking the beginning of one of the most influential companies in the history of technology. Their vision was to create software that would make computers more accessible, affordable, and useful for people and businesses around the world.
The idea for Microsoft was sparked by the launch of the Altair 8800, one of the earliest personal computers. Gates and Allen saw an opportunity to create a programming language for the machine and quickly developed Altair BASIC, the first product of their new venture. Their success with BASIC laid the foundation for Microsoft’s rapid growth Bill Gates.
The company’s name—a blend of “microcomputer” and “software”—signaled its mission to be at the forefront of the emerging personal computing revolution. Over the following years, Microsoft would go on to dominate the software industry, developing key products such as MS-DOS, Windows, Office, and later becoming a major player in cloud computing, gaming, and artificial intelligence.
Microsoft’s rise fundamentally transformed how people interact with technology, making personal computing a central part of everyday life. The company’s success also made Gates and Allen iconic figures in the tech world, with Gates becoming one of the wealthiest and most influential individuals globally.
The founding of Microsoft is seen as a turning point in the digital age—an event that helped shape the modern world and gave rise to countless innovations in technology, business, and global connectivity.
