Apple @ 50

March 30, 2026 Verge Staff

Mylar “50” balloons in rainbow colors surrounded by various Apple products from throughout the years.

Fifty years ago, on April 1st, 1976, Apple Computer Company was founded. Today it’s one of the most valuable companies in the world, celebrated for producing ubiquitous products like the iPad and iPhone to now-nostalgia bait like the iPod Mini and PowerBook. Over the last five decades, the company has seen ups and downs but ultimately has left its mark on almost every part of our relationship with tech and culture, from entertainment to fitness to accessibility.

In this package, The Verge looks back at the impact of the tech giant over the last five decades — from the triumphs and failures of the Jobs eras to its current incarnation as an antitrust juggernaut. We reminisce about some of our favorite products and take a walk down memory lane to look back at some of The Verge’s earliest Apple coverage. (Plus, we’re community ranking our 50 favorite Apple products — join in!)

Apple @ 50

Verge retrospective

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