APPLE II HISTORY
===== == =======

Compiled and written by Steven Weyhrich
(C) Copyright 1991, Zonker Software

(APPENDIX B: APPLE II TIMELINE)
[v1.0 :: 21 Sep 92]


	The Apple II Timeline gives an overview of many of the events mentioned in the Apple II History, as well as some others that are not discussed.  The dates given for the various entries found here are as accurate as I can make them, based on the sources cited in the footnotes that follow.  In some cases I could come no closer to the correct date than the year in which it happened.  If there is no reference number, it is because I cannot find the source of the information, but know that it is reasonably accurate.

	In regards to the various versions of Apple II disk operating systems:  For DOS I chose to use the date found on the HELLO program on System Masters; for ProDOS 8 I chose to use the date displayed when it starts up; and for GS/OS I chose the dates it was first announced in Open-Apple or A2-Central.  The dates they were completed and the dates they were available are sometimes several months apart.

	One other thing that may make some of these dates slightly inaccurate is the difference between a product "announcement", "introduction", and "release".  Something may be "introduced" on one date, but not available or "released" until a later date (the IBM PCjr comes to mind).  If anyone cares to correct me on any of these points, please feel free to contact me with your information source, and I will be glad to make the change.

	"Ladies and gentlemen, the History of the Apple II Time-Sweep.  Every number one event, in order, beginning in January, 1971.  Sit back, for the Greatest (Computer) Hits of All Time!"

====
1969
====

	1969 June

The Department of Defense's Advanced Research Project Agency funds the creation of ARPANet, to make it possible for their various research facilities to communicate with each other from around the country.  It begins with only three host computers, and eventually evolves to become what is now known as the Internet.


====
1971
====

Intel introduces the 4004 microprocessor.

Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs start their first joint business venture, selling "blue boxes" (capable of making "free" long distance phone calls) at the Berkeley dorms.<1>


====
1972
====

Intel introduces the 8008 microprocessor.



====
1973
====

Intel introduces the 8080 microprocessor. 



====
1974
====

Motorola introduces the 6800 microprocessor. 


	1974 March 

Scelbi-8H microcomputer introduced.<2>


	1974 April 

Steve Jobs begins work at Atari.<3>


	1974 May 

Mark 8 introduced, the first computer kit to build at home.<4>


	1974 October 

"Creative Computing" starts publication.<5>



====
1975
====

	1975 January 

Altair 8800 introduced.<6>


	1975 February 

Zilog announces the Z-80 microprocessor.<7>


	1975 March 

First meeting of Homebrew Computer Club.<8>


	1975 April 

Scelbi-8B (business) computer introduced.<2>

Bill Gates and Paul Allen write the first BASIC interpreter for a microcomputer (the Altair 8800).  It is shipped on paper tape.<8>


	1975 September 

"Byte" begins publication.<7>



====
1976
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1976: <7>

 --MOS Technology introduces the 6502 microprocessor.
 --Processor Technology introduces the Sol ($995 in kit form).
 --Cromenco sells the TV Dazzler ($215), a color graphics card for the Altair.
 --Shugart introduces its 5.25 inch floppy disk drive for $390.
 --"Dr. Dobb's Journal Of Computer Calisthenics And Orthodontia" begins publication.
 --Electric Pencil by Michael Shrayer, the first word processor for microcomputers, is released.
 --The first version of Adventure for microcomputers is translated by Crowther and Wood from mainframe versions.


	1976 April 

Wozniak and Jobs form the Apple Computer Company on April Fool's Day.<9>

Wozniak's 6502 computer, later known as the Apple Computer or the Apple I, is introduced to the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, California.<9>


	1976 July 

The Apple I is delivered for sale at the Byte Shops ($666.66).  It required the addition of a power supply and keyboard.<10>


	1976 August 

Wozniak completes prototype of the Apple II.  Chris Espinosa begins working on games and demonstration software for it.<11>


	1976 October 

Wozniak is persuaded to leave Hewlett-Packard and work at Apple full-time.<11>



====
1977
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1977: <7>

 --The Horizon introduced by North Star Computers, with a Z-80, 16K RAM, one 5.25 drive, 12 S-100 slots, and built-in serial I/O ($1999)
 --H-8 Computer introduced by Heathkit as a kit, with an 8080 processor.
 --MITS, the company that started it all with the Altair 8800 in 1975, is sold to Pertec Computer Corp.
 --CP/M, written by Gary Kildall, first released by Digital Research. Eventually becomes the standard operating system for the first generation 8080 and 8088 microcomputers.  The name stands for "Control Program for Microcomputers".


	1977 January 

Apple incorporates, with Intel veteran Mike Markkula as its first chairman.  He helps them obtain venture capital to get the business going.<9>, <12>

Apple moves from the garage owned by Steve Jobs' parents to a building on Stevens Creek Boulevard in Cupertino, California.<9>


	1977 April 

Apple II introduced at the First West Coast Computer Faire, with BASIC in ROM, color video, low and high resolution graphics, built-in speaker, game paddle inputs, and seven slots for peripherals.  It is expandable to 48K RAM.<10>, <12>

Commodore PET introduced, with a 6502 processor, 4K RAM, 14K ROM, and 8K Microsoft BASIC.<13>


	1977 May 

First Apple II boards ship.<12>

Byte Magazine publishes an article by Steve Wozniak called "The Apple II".  It gives a hardware and firmware description of the computer.<12>


	1977 June 

First Apple II systems ship.  Standard configuration included 4K of memory, two game paddles, and a demo cassette with programs, costing $1,298.  Home televisions are usually used for monitors.<12>


	1977 August 

TRS-80 introduced by Radio Shack, with a Z-80 processor, 4K RAM, and 4K ROM.<13>


	1977 September 

Wozniak, Espinosa, and Wigginton have to discontinue their attendance at the Homebrew Computer Club; work at Apple is now taking up all of their time.<12>


	1977 October 

Applesoft I, a 6502 version of BASIC purchased from Microsoft, is released on cassette.<14>

"SWEET 16: The 6502 Dream Machine", by Steve Wozniak, is published in Byte magazine.  It describes the 16-bit computer emulator he included in the Apple II Integer BASIC ROM.

"Micro" begins publication.


	1977 November 

Apple Parallel Printer Interface Card released.<14>


	1977 December 

Wozniak begins work on a floppy disk drive and controller.<15>



====
1978
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1978: <7>

 --Exidy sells the Sorcerer ($895), with a Z-80, 8K RAM, 12K ROM, and serial, parallel, and cassette interfaces.  It could use plug-in ROM cartridges and had user-definable characters. 
 --Epson releases the MX-80, one of the first low-cost dot-matrix printers.


	1978 February 

"Apple II Reference Manual" (also known as the "Red Book") released.<16>

"Call-A.P.P.L.E." begins publication.<17>


	1978 April 

Apple II Communications Card released.<14>


	1978 May 

Applesoft II released on cassette, adding hi-res graphics commands.<14>

"Contact", Apple's first user newsletter, begins publication.


	1978 June 

Disk II floppy disk drive introduced (DOS 3, still buggy, not released).<12>, <18>, <19>


	1978 July 

Apple DOS 3.1 released.<18>


	1978 August 

Apple II Serial Interface Card released.<14>


	1978 September 

Apple sells 7600 computers in fiscal 1978.<12>



====
1979
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1979: <7>

 --Intel introduces the 8088 processor.
 --Orange Computer, one of the first Apple II clones, appears at the Third West Coast Computer Faire. 
 --Atari 400 and 800, with a 6502 processor, finally ship late this year (they were announced in 1978).  The Atari 400 had a membrane keyboard, and the 800 came with 8K expandable to 48K, and both could take ROM cartridges.
 --TI-99/4 computer by Texas Instruments is introduced ($1150), including a 16-bit TMS9900 processor, a color monitor, and a poorly designed keyboard. It was slow, and the company kept a tight reign on peripheral and software cartridge support, which made it difficult for third parties to support it.
 --Hayes Microcomputer Products begins selling the Micromodem 100 for S-100 bus computers, one of the first modems that had a direct connect line for the phone rather than sending and receiving the tones through the handset.
 --Compuserve and The Source begin service to general computer users.
 --A database program called Vulcan by Wayne Ratliff appears; it later is known by the name dBase II.


	1979 February 

Programmer's Aid #1 announced.

DOS 3.2 released.<18>

Apple President Mike Scott tells Apple employees not to use typewriters any longer; only computers are to be used for all office functions.<18>


	1979 June 

Apple II Plus introduced.<10>, <12>

Applesoft Firmware Card released for Apple II, making it possible for these older computers to use Applesoft.<20>

Apple Silentype printer (which used thermal paper) introduced.<9>


	1979 July 

DOS 3.2.1 released.<18>


	1979 August 

Apple Pascal and the Language System released.<18>


	1979 September 

Apple sells 35,100 computers in fiscal 1979.<12>

Macintosh project formally begins, although some preliminary work was done as early as late 1978.  It is given the code name "Macintosh", since project leader Jef Raskin's favorite apple was the Mackintosh.  The name misspelling persisted from that point on.


	1979 October 

VisiCalc released by Personal Software, Inc.<12>

International Apple Core formed in San Francisco.


====
1980
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1980: <7>

 --Sinclair Research introduces the ZX80 (sold in Great Britain), with Z-80 processor, with 1K RAM, 4K ROM (integer BASIC), and a membrane keyboard.  It is the first microcomputer to cost less than $200.  Its successor, the ZX81, is later sold as the Timex-Sinclair in the U.S.
 --Commodore introduces the VIC-20, with a 6502A processor, 5K RAM, BASIC in ROM, serial, cassette, and modem interfaces, and color.  It could take program cartridges, and sold for $299.
 --Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Color Computer, with a 6809 processor, and capability of taking ROM program cartridges.
 --Digital Research announces CP/M-86.
 --WordPerfect announced for Data General computers.
 --Personal Software introduces Zork for the Apple II, an advanced version of the old game Adventure.


	1980 January

"Nibble" begins publication.


	1980 May 

Online Systems begins business with the game Mystery House, the first hi-res graphics adventure for the Apple II.<18>


	1980 June 

Sirius Software begins business.<18>


	1980 July 

Broderbund Software begins business.<18>


	1980 August 

Apple DOS 3.3 released.<18>


	1980 September 

Apple III introduced.  It had the 6502B processor, came with a built-in disk drive and four peripheral slots, and sold for $3495.<12>

Apple sells 78,100 computers in fiscal 1980.<12>

"Softalk" begins publication.<12>


	1980 October 

"Apple Assembly Line" begins publication.<21>


	1980 November 

Apple reorganizes.  Mike Markkula becomes President and CEO, and Mike Scott becomes Vice-Chairman.<12>, <22>


	1980 December 

Apple's initial public stock offering; 4.6 million shares were purchased.<12>



====
1981
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1981: <7>

 --Osborne 1 Portable computer introduced, with Z-80 processor, 64K RAM, two serial interfaces, two 5.25 disk drives, 5-inch monitor built-in, and a large selection of software sold with it ($1795).
 --The Alto is developed by researchers at Xerox PARC, and was the inspiration for Steve Jobs in his design for the Macintosh
 --Timex-Sinclair 1000 sold for under $100 in the U.S.
 --Atari VCS and Mattel Intellivision home video games introduced.


	1981 January 

Apple Super Serial Card released.<23>

Steve Jobs, blocked from working on the Lisa computer project, discovers the Macintosh project that Jef Raskin has been developing, and begins to assemble a team to advance work on it.<24>

The problems causing Apple III's to mysteriously fail are identified, and steps are taken to correct them.<25>

	1981 February 

Steve Wozniak and his fiance, Candy Clark, are injured in plane crash; he begins a leave of absence.<12>

Apple announces that it will no longer offer a built-in clock/calendar in the Apple III, due to inavailability of reliable parts.  The price is dropped $50 in compensation for this missing component.

"Black Wednesday" at Apple.  Forty employees are fired in the wake of problems with the Apple III and other projects.<25>


	1981 March 

Shipments of the Apple III resume after correction of reliability problems.

Apple's first million dollar shipping day.<12>


	1981 April 

Steve Jobs becomes chairman of Apple Computer, Inc.<25>


	1981 May 

Work begins on custom Apple II chips, and the Apple IIe project begins.<26>


	1981 June 

Central Point Software releases Copy II Plus v1.0.


	1981 July 

Mike Scott leaves Apple.<12>

Apple begins airing commercials featuring Dick Cavett as a spokesman for their products.


	1981 August 

IBM PC introduced.<12>


	1981 September 

Apple sells nearly 180,000 computers in fiscal 1981.<12>

Apple introduces the Profile 5 MB hard disk for the Apple III, for $3499.<12>


	1981 October

Apple introduces the Family System for home use.  It includes an Apple II Plus computer, Disk II drive, RF modulator, tutorial, software, manuals, and software directory, all for $2495.


	1981 November

Apple announces that it will no longer allow its products to be sold to consumers via mail or telephone orders.  As a result, six retailers file suit against Apple.


	1981 December 

Apple III re-introduced after solution of technical problems.<12>



====
1982
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1982: <7>

 --Intel announces the 80286 processor.
 --Franklin Ace 100, an Apple II clone, introduced.
 --Compaq Portable introduced, one of the first IBM PC compatible computers sold.
 --Commodore 64 introduced, with a 6510 processor, 64K RAM, 20K ROM with Microsoft BASIC, color and custom sound chips, and serial interface ($595).
 --Kaypro introduces the Kaycomp II portable, with 9-inch screen and software included, to compete with the Osborne.
 --Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model 16, with both 68000 and Z-80 processors, 128K RAM, and 8-inch disk drive ($4999).
 --Lotus 1-2-3 introduced.
 --"Time" magazine names the computer as its "Man Of The Year" for 1981.


	1982 February 

Steve Jobs appears on cover of Time.<12>


	1982 March 

Apple announces it will take legal action against Asian makers of Apple II clones.<12>

Epson's MX-80 and MX-100 printers are becoming popular as inexpensive dot-matrix printers.<27>


	1982 May 

Apple sues Franklin Computer Corporation for patent and copyright infringement.<12>


	1982 June 

Apple Computer makes the "Fortune Double 500" list at number 598.<28>

Business Solutions introduces The Incredible Jack, the first integrated software program for the Apple II.  It did word processing, personal filing, mailing labels, and had spreadsheet ("Calc") functions.  It ran under DOS 3.3 and worked on the II Plus.<29>


	1982 September 

Apple stops announcing publicly how many systems it sells per year.<12>

Steve Wozniak holds the first "US Festival".<12>


	1982 October 

Apple Dot Matrix Printer ($699), and Apple Letter Quality Printer ($2195) released.<30>


	1982 November 

First AppleFest opens in San Francisco.<12>

Bank Street Writer released by Broderbund Software.<12>


	1982 December 

Apple IIc project begins.<26>

Apple throws a "Billion Dollar Party" for its employees to celebrate the milestone of being the first personal computer company to reach a $1 billion annual sales rate.<12>



====
1983
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1983: <7>

 --Radio Shack introduces the portable TRS-80 Model 100 ($800) and the Tandy 2000, which has a 80186 processor.
 --Coleco introduces the Adam computer, a game machine with detached keyboard, cassette interface, and printer, which fails to gain any impact on the home computer market as they had hoped it would.
 --Hewlett-Packard HP150 introduced, with 8088 processor and a touchscreen feature
 --Microsoft Word introduced.


	1983 January 

Apple IIe ($1395) and Lisa ($9995) announced.<12>

Millionth Disk II produced.

Apple and Franklin settle out of court.<12>

QuickFile IIe and Apple Writer IIe released with the Apple IIe.

"inCider" begins publication.<31>

"A+" begins publication.

The ORCA/M DOS 3.3 assembler, written by Mike Westerfield, released by Hayden Software.<32>


	1983 February 

Apple UniFile and DuoFile disk drives for the Apple III announced.  Also called the Apple 871 drive, it used disks with a capacity of 1702 SOS blocks (which were the same size as ProDOS blocks).  They were to sell at $1000 for the UniFile, and $1700 for the DuoFile.  The drives were advertised as being ideal for backing up the ProFile 5 MB hard drive for the Apple III.  Undoubtedly they didn't move to the Apple II during the post-Apple III era because the smaller 3.5 inch drives were coming for the Mac, and had the potential of holding 800K of data (almost as much as these) and would cost less.<33>


	1983 March 

IBM PC-XT introduced.<34>

Lotus 1-2-3 replaces VisiCalc as the best-selling computer program in America.<35>


	1983 April 

John Sculley joins Apple as President and CEO; Mike Markkula becomes Vice-Chairman.<9>, <12>


	1983 May 

Apple makes the "Fortune 500" list at position 411.<12>

"Kids Can't Wait" program begins, in which Apple donates 9000 computers to California public schools.<12>

Steve Wozniak holds second (and final) US Festival.<12>


	1983 June 

Millionth Apple II produced.<12>

Wozniak returns to Apple.<12>, <36>

First 16-bit Apple II project ("IIx") begins.<12>, <36>


	1983 September 

Osborne Computer Corporation files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.<12>


	1983 October 

ProDOS v1.0

IBM PCjr introduced, but is not available until early 1984.<34>


	1983 November 

Rupert Lissner's AppleWorks and /// E-Z Pieces introduced.<9>

BASIC.SYSTEM v1.0


	1983 December 

Apple III Plus announced with a suggested retail price of $2995.  It features an interlace video mode that doubles the screen resolution, a clock/calendar function, repositioned cursor-control keys and a "delete" key, and operating system revisions.<37>

Apple ImageWriter printer introduced ($675), replacing the Apple Dot Matrix Printer.<9>

Apple IIe sales for the holiday season are very brisk.<38>



====
1984
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1984: <7>

 --IBM PC-AT introduced, with 80286 processor, 256K RAM, and a high density disk drive ($5469).
 --Hewlett-Packard introduces the LaserJet laser printer.
 --Lotus introduces Symphony, an integrated package for MS-DOS.
 --Commodore buys Amiga Corp.


	1984 January 

ProDOS v1.0.1 

Macintosh introduced ($2495).<12>, <38>

The infamous "1984" commercial that introduces the Macintosh is run during the 1984 Super Bowl.<12>, <38>

Lisa becomes Lisa 2.<12>, <38>


	1984 February 

ProDOS v1.0.2 

Apple Personal Modem 300 and Personal Modem 1200 introduced.


	1984 March 

Apple IIx project cancelled.<39>


	1984 April 

Apple IIc introduced ($1295) at "Apple II Forever" event, along with the Apple Scribe color printer ($299).<9>, <12>

Apple III and III Plus discontinued.<12>


	1984 May 

Broderbund Software announces The Print Shop.<9>

Apple Duodisk floppy disk drive unit introduced for the Apple II ($795); older Disk II drive discontinued.<40>

AppleMouse II released.<41>


	1984 June 

BASIC.SYSTEM v1.1 

Apple Color Plotter released ($779).<42>

Apple ImageWriter Wide Carriage version introduced ($749).<43>


	1984 August 

ProDOS v1.1 

Basic design work on Mega II chip completed.<39>

"Softalk" ceases publication, succumbing to bankruptcy.

IBM PC AT introduced.<44>


	1984 September 

ProDOS v1.1.1 

Apple passes the $1 billion mark for its fiscal year.<12>

Apple Writer II v2.0 released.  It was the first version to run under the ProDOS system.<45>

Macintosh 512K ("Fat Mac") introduced.<12>


	1984 October 

Discussions about 16-bit Apple II are revived.<39>


	1984 November 

Two millionth Apple II sold.<12>

Apple buys every page of advertising in the election year issue of "Newsweek" magazine.<12>

Apple's "Test Drive A Mac" campaign begins.<39>

First Class Peripherals introduces the Sider, the first low-cost hard drive for the Apple II, offering 10 MB for $695.<39>


	1984 December 

AppleColor 100 Monitor introduced.  It is Apple's first RGB monitor, with a switch that changes to a monochrome display mode, and a motorized screen tilt feature. 



====
1985
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1985: <7>

 --Intel introduces the 80386 microprocessor.
 --Commodore introduces the Amiga 1000, with the ability to do multitasking ($1295).
 --Atari 520ST introduced.
 --Toshiba introduces the T1100 laptop.
 --Tandy Model 200 laptop introduced.
 --Lotus buys Software Arts, and stops sales of VisiCalc.
 --Aldus PageMaker introduced for Macintosh.


	1985 January 

Apple's annual stockholder meeting almost totally ignores the Apple II, despite having its best sales quarter ever, while concentrating on the Macintosh.  Leaves the Apple II division demoralized.<46>

Apple LaserWriter laser printer and AppleTalk introduced as part of the Macintosh Office System.<12>

Macintosh XL announced.  (It is a refitted Lisa with an internal hard drive).<12>

"Open-Apple" begins publication.


	1985 February 

Wozniak leaves Apple to start a new company, CL9.<12>

Wozniak and Jobs receive National Technology Medal from President Reagan.<12>


	1985 March 

Enhanced Apple IIe introduced.<12>

Sculley asks employees to take a week of vacation and announces that Apple's manufacturing plants will close for one week, to work off excess inventory.<12>


	1985 April 

Addison-Wesley Publishing takes over printing of Apple manuals.<47>

Macintosh XL discontinued.<12>

IBM PCjr discontinued.<12>


	1985 May 

Apple reorganizes again, bringing the Apple II and Macintosh product groups together.  Steve Jobs is ousted from day-to-day management, and made a chairman with no responsibilities.<12>, <48>


	1985 June 

Apple lays off 1200 employees and records a loss of $40 million, its first and only quarterly loss as a public company.<12>


	1985 June 

Apple UniDisk 5.25 introduced.<49>


	1985 July 

AppleLink network goes into service (for use by Apple Computer and registered developers only).<9>


	1985 August

"Creative Computing" ceases publication (approximate date).


	1985 September 

Apple UniDisk 3.5, Memory Expansion Card, Catalyst introduced.<12>

Apple ImageWriter II introduced ($595).  It can print MouseText, and in color.<50>

Apple ColorMonitor IIe and IIc introduced ($399).  It displays composite color (not RGB) but can still produce readable 80-column text.<50>

Jobs resigns as chairman of Apple to start a new company, NExt, Inc.  Several Apple employees resign from Apple to join him.<12>

Apple sues Jobs, alleging that he breached his duties as chairman and misappropriated proprietary information.<12>


	1985 October 

"Micro" ceases publication.<9>

General Electric starts GEnie online service.  The American Apple Roundtable (AART) for the Apple II begins at the same time.<51>

Franklin Computer returns with the ACE 2000, a new IIc/IIc compatible ($699), with a detachable keyboard, numeric keypad, and graphics characters similar to MouseText.<52>


	1985 November 

Apple IIc UniDisk 3.5 upgrade announced.<53>

Microsoft Windows 1.0 announced.<34>



====
1986
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1986: <7>

 --Microsoft Works introduced for Macintosh.


	1986 January 

Macintosh Plus and LaserWriter Plus introduced.<12>

John Sculley leaves PepsiCo and becomes Chairman of Apple.<12>

Apple and Jobs reach out-of-court settlement.<12>

Applied Engineering introduces the Transwarp accelerator for the Apple II.<9>


	1986 February 

Jobs sells all but one share of his Apple stock, leaving Mike Markkula as the largest shareholder.<12>


	1986 March

Central Point Software introduces the Laser 128 computer ($395).  It is similar to the Apple IIc, but includes a single expansion slot and a numeric keypad.<54>


	1986 September 

Apple IIGS and Apple 3.5 Drive introduced ($999).<12>, <55>

Apple IIc Memory Expansion version introduced, with IIc Memory Expansion card.  Apple IIe 128K price reduced.<56>

Apple II SCSI controller card and Apple Hard Disk 20SC introduced.<57>

Apple RGB Monitor ($499), Apple Monochrome Monitor ($129), and AppleColor Composite Monitor ($379) introduced.<57>

ProDOS 16 v1.0 introduced; original ProDOS becomes ProDOS 8 v1.2.<19>

Apple Programmer's and Developer's Association (APDA) created.<58>


	1986 November

Penguin Software, a pioneer in removal of copy protection, changes its name to Polarware (Penguin Books objected to the use of the name).<59>


	1986 December 

ProDOS 16 v1.1 <60>



====
1987
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1987: <7>

 --Commodore introduces Amiga 2000 and 500 models.


	1987 January 

ProDOS 8 v1.3 

Platinum Apple IIe with built-in keypad introduced ($829).<9>


	1987 February

Apple II SCSI Card revision B released (fixes problems encountered when trying to use the card on the IIGS).<61>


	1987 March 

Macintosh SE and Macintosh II introduced.<9>


	1987 April 

ProDOS 8 v1.4 

IBM PS/2 line introduced, with the first version of their OS/2 operating system.<34>


	1987 May 

Apple IIGS System Software v2.0 <60>


	1987 June 

Pecan Software releases FORTRAN for the Apple IIGS.<62>


	1987 July

Claris, a software company spun-off from Apple, is announced.  It will handle AppleWorks and Macintosh software previously sold by Apple.<9>


	1987 September

Apple IIGS ROM 01 upgrade.<63>


	1987 October 

Beagle Bros introduces the TimeOut series of enhancements for AppleWorks.<64>


	1987 November 

Applied Engineering introduces the PC Transporter.<9>


	1987 December 

Apple IIGS System Software v3.1 released.  It is the first version with the Finder.<60>

BASIC.SYSTEM v1.2 



====
1988
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1988: <7>

 --Intel introduces the 386SX processor.
 --Memory chips are in short supply, and therefore quite expensive.
 --dBASE IV introduced.
 --A "worm" is accidentally released into the ARPANet computer network, and causes significant problems at 6000 sites across the country; 


	1988 January 

Apple IIc Revised Memory Expansion version released.<65>

Apple's LaserWriter II family introduced.<9>

Timeworks introduces Publish-It!, the first serious desktop publishing program for the Apple II.<9>


	1988 March 

AppleCD SC (CD-ROM drive, $1199) introduced for both the Macintosh and Apple II.  Also introduced were the Apple II SCSI Card Rev C (supporting partitioning on large capacity disk drives), and the Apple II Workstation Card ($249) to allow the Apple IIe to connect to AppleTalk.<9>, <66>

Tom Weishaar (Open-Apple) begins as manager of the Apple II Roundtables on the GEnie online service.<67>


	1988 April 

ProDOS 8 v1.5 


	1988 May 

AppleLink-Personal Edition introduced (later to become America Online).<9>

"Apple Assembly Lines" ceases publication.<21>

Zip Technologies introduces the Zip Chip at AppleFest.  It is a 4 MHz accelerator on a single chip.<68>


	1988 June 

ProDOS 8 v1.6 


	1988 July

Apple IIGS System Software v3.2; it is the first version that can boot over an AppleTalk network.<60>, <69>


	1988 August 

ProDOS 8 v1.7 


	1988 September 

Apple IIGS System Software v4.0 introduced.  It is the first version to be called GS/OS, and is written entirely in 16-bit code.<70>

Apple IIc Plus introduced ($675, or $1099 with color monitor).<9>

Macintosh IIx and FDHD (SuperDrive) introduced.<9>

Zip Chip finally available for shipment. 


	1988 October 

Claris, having bought the rights to StyleWare's program GS-Works, modifies and releases it as AppleWorks GS.<9>


	1988 November 

Applied Engineering introduces the Transwarp GS accelerator.<9>


	1988 December 

A.P.P.L.E. (Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange) changes it official name to TechAlliance; among other reasons is Apple Computer's dislike of other companies using "their" name.<71>

"Open-Apple" changes its name to "A2-Central" for similar reasons.<72>

Apple Computer purchases the Apple Programmers and Developers Association (APDA) from A.P.P.L.E. Co-op.<72>

Steve Jobs announces the NeXT computer.<9>



====
1989
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1989: <7>

 --GRiD Systems announces the GRiDPad, a handwriting-recognizing pad.


	1989 April 

Apple II Video Overlay Card introduced.<9>


	1989 May 

Roger Wagner Publishing releases HyperStudio, the first Apple IIGS hypermedia product.<9>

"A+" ceases publication, merges with "inCider" to become "inCider/A+".<31>


	1989 June

ProDOS 8 v1.8 

BASIC.SYSTEM v1.3  (It was a buggy version, however, that had to be soon replaced).

Claris announces AppleWorks 3.0.<9>


	1989 July

First A2-Central Developer's Conference.

Apple IIGS System Software v5.0 released.<60>


	1989 August 

Apple IIGS ROM 03 introduced.<9>

BASIC.SYSTEM v1.4 


	1989 September 

"Call-A.P.P.L.E." ceases publication.<73>

Macintosh Portable and Macintosh IIci introduced.<9>


	1989 December

Apple IIGS System Software v5.0.2 released.<74>



====
1990
====

Miscellaneous Events of 1990: <7>

 --Motorola introduces 68040 processor.
 --IBM introduces the PS/1.
 --Commodore introduces the Amiga 3000 ($3300).
 --Microsoft introduces Windows 3.0.


	1990 March 

Apple II High Speed SCSI card introduced.<9>

Macintosh IIfx introduced.<9>


	1990 May

Vitesse releases the Quickie hand scanner for the Apple IIe and IIGS.


	1990 June 

BASIC.SYSTEM v1.4.1 


	1990 July

Second A2-Central Developer's Conference (KansasFest).


	1990 August 

ProDOS 8 v1.9 

Apple buys back Claris Corporation as a wholly-owned subsidiary.<75>


	1990 October 

Macintosh Classic, Macintosh LC, and Macintosh IIsi introduced.  The Mac Classic replaces the Mac Plus and Mac SE.<76>


	1990 November

"The IIGS Buyer's Guide" ceases publication.<77>


	1990 December 

Apple IIGS System Software v5.0.3.  It fixes some bugs and speeds up the ImageWriter driver.  However, there were problems with this driver under low memory situations, so it was not widely distributed.<78>

Apple IIc Plus and ImageWriter LQ discontinued.

Zip Technologies releases the Zip GS cards to accelerate the Apple IIGS.<78>

1990 Apple II Achievement Awards held at AppleFest.<79>



====
1991
====

	1991 January 
Apple introduces HyperCard IIGS.<80>


	1991 February

Apple IIGS System Software v5.0.4 released.


	1991 March

Apple IIe card (for Macintosh LC) released ($199).<81>

Westcode introduces InWords, which allows text digitized with the Quickie hand-scanner to be turned into text files.


	1991 May

Apple StyleWriter ($599) and Apple Personal LaserWriter LS ($1299) released.  Neither can work on the Apple II or IIGS at the time.


	1991 June

AppleCD SC Plus, faster than the original CD-ROM drive, released ($799).


	1991 July

Third A2-Central Developer's Conference (KansasFest).

Apple IIGS System Software v6.0 announced.


	1991 September

Apple's first User Group Television live satellite broadcast.  A new Apple IIGS is almost announced, but the project is killed by Apple management at the last minute.


	1991 November

SuperDrive interface card for Apple II released.  It can use 1.4 MB capacity 3.5 disks on an Apple IIe or IIGS, making it possible (when translation software is made available) to read and write even MS-DOS disks.



====
1992
====

	1992 February

Beagle Bros ships "BeagleWorks", its Macintosh integrated software package.<82>


	1992 March

Apple IIGS System Software v6.0 released.  It includes a driver to allow the Apple StyleWriter printer to be used on the IIGS.


	1992 April

1991 Apple II Achievement Awards presented (a little late).

Econ Technologies introduces their Pegasus line of internal hard drives.


	1992 May

Seven Hills Software releases Express, a software-based print spooler for the Apple IIGS.

The A2 Roundtable on GEnie announces its Lost Classics project, coordinated by sysop Tim Tobin, which has the object of locating and re-releasing older Apple II software that has disappeared from the marketplace.

JEM Software announces Ultra 4.0, an upgrade to the UltraMacros language for AppleWorks 3.0.


	1992 July

Fourth A2-Central Developer's Conference (KansasFest).

Apple IIGS System Software v6.0.1 announced.

"Nibble" ceases publication.


	1992 August

Paul Lutus agrees to allow Apple Writer v2.1 and GraFORTH to be released as "freeware".


	1992 October

Beagle Bros ends business, as sales of their Mac integraged software package, BeagleWorks, are insufficient to keep the company afloat.<83>  WordPerfect Corp. purchases BeagleWorks, planning to rename it WordPerfect Works.  They also hire former Beagle Bros president Mark Simonsen and programmer Mark Munz to work for them.


	1992 December

Apple IIGS discontinued.


====
1993
====

	1993 March

Randy Brant begins working on AppleWorks 4.0 for Quality Computers.

"II Alive" begin publication.


	1993 April

Digisoft Innovations releases Twilight II, an updated and enhanced version of their original shareware GS/OS screen blanker.

Econ Technologies begins shipping the SoundMeister, a new IIgs stereo and sound digitizer card.


	1993 May

"inCider/A+" ceases publication.


	1993 June

"A2-Central" discontinues their paper edition, switching to a disk-only newsletter.

System 6.0.1 released for the IIGS, and System 4.0.2 released for 8-bit Apple II's.

John Sculley steps down as CEO of Apple, later leaving the company altogether.

AppleWorks 4.0, code-named "Quadriga", officially announced.

"Apple Assembly Lines" now available in a digital form, exclusively on GEnie.

Westcode begins shipment of HardPressed, their disk compression software.


	1993 July

Fifth A2-Central Developer's Conference (KansasFest).


	1993 August

Apple releases the first version of its Newton personal digital assistant (PDA).


	1993 November

Apple IIe discontinued. The only Apple II still being manufactured is the IIe card for the Macintosh LC series.

DiskQuest software introduced by Sequential Systems, making several commercial CD-ROM products readable by Apple II computers.

AppleWorks 4.0 released by Quality Computers.

Bob Consorti releases BOS ("Bob's Operating System") as a replacement and enhancement for SOS ("Sophisticated Operating System") on the Apple III.


====
1994
====

	1994 February

Apple changes the status of HyperCard IIgs to be the same as System Software, in that it is available from qualified sources for the cost of a download or the cost of the disk media.


	1994 May

Commodore International, Ltd, the maker of the PET, VIC-20, Commodore 64, Commodore 128, and Amiga computers, announces that it is voluntarily going out of business and into liquidation.


	1994 June

The Apple II SuperDrive interface card and the SuperDrive itself is discontinued.  HyperCard IIgs is re-classified as "system software", making it available through user groups for free (disks only; the manuals sell out quickly).


	1994 July

Sixth A2-Central Developer's Converence (now named ICONference, and open to platforms other than the Apple II).  AppleWorks 5.0, code-named "Narnia", is announced by Randy Brandt.

Gary Kildall, author of the CP/M operating system for 8080-based personal computers dies at the age of 52.<85>


	1994 November

America Online discontinues its Apple II service, effectively locking these users out (since it required proprietary software to access the service).

AppleWorks 5.0 released by Quality Computers.


====
1995
====

	1995 February

"A2-Central" ceases publication.

ICON (Resource Central) closes its doors, ceasing publication of its several disk magazines, due to financial constraints.

=====================================================



NOTES


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	<2> Gray, Stephen B.  "The Early Days", Creative Computing, Nov 1984, pp. 6-14.

	<3> Rose, Frank.   p. 28.

	<4> Marsh, Robert.  "1975: Ancient History", Creative Computing, Nov 1984, pp. 108-110.

	<5> Ahl, David H.  "Dave Tells Ahl", Creative Computing, Nov 1984, pp. 67-74.

	<6> Levy, Steven.  Dell Publishing Co., Inc, Hackers: Heroes Of The Computer Revolution, New York, 1984, p. 200.

	<7> Smarte, Gene, and Reinhardt, Andrew.  "15 Years Of Bits, Bytes, And Other Great Moments", Byte, Sep 1990, pp. 369-400.

	<8> Levy, Steven.  p. 190.

	<9> -----.  "Apple and Apple II History", The Apple II Guide, Fall 1990, pp. 9-16.

	<10> Rubin, Charles.  "The Life & Death & Life Of The Apple II", Personal Computing, Feb 1985, p. 73.

	<11> Freiberger, Paul, and Swaine, Michael.  "Fire In The Valley, Part I (Book Excerpt)", A+ Magazine, Dec 1984, p. 61-62.

	<12> -----.  "Back In Time", A+ Magazine, Feb 1987, pp. 48-49.

	<13> Ahl, David H.  "The First Decade Of Personal Computing", Creative Computing, Nov 1984, pp. 30-45.

	<14> Bernsten, Jeff.  GEnie, A2 Roundtable, Apr 1991, Category 2, Topic 16.

	<15> Freiberger, Paul, and Swaine, Michael.  "Fire In The Valley, Part II (Book Excerpt)", A+ Magazine, Jan 1985, p. 45-48.

	<16> Chien, Philip.  "The First Ten Years: A Look Back", The Apple II Review, Fall/Winter 1986, p. 12.

	<17> -----.  "A.P.P.L.E. Co-op Celebrates A Decade of Service", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Feb 1988, pp. 12-27.

	<18> Worth, Don, and Lechner, Pieter.  Quality Software, Beneath Apple DOS, Reseda, CA, 1981, pp. 2.1-2.3.

	<19> Deatherage, Matt.  "The Operating System", The Apple II Guide, Fall 1990, pp. 117-125.

	<20> Connick, Jack.  "...And Then There Was Apple", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Oct 1986, p. 26.

	<21> Hoover, Tom.  GEnie, A2 Roundtable, Apr 1991, Category 2, Topic 16.

	<22> Rose, Frank.   p. 48.

	<23> Weishaar, Tom.  "Control-I(nterface) S(tandards)", Open-Apple, Oct 1987, pp. 3.65.

	<24> Rose, Frank.   pp. 50-54.

	<25> Freiberger and Swaine.  Part II, pp. 46,51.

	<26> Williams, Gregg.  "'C' Is For Crunch", Byte, Dec 1984, pp. A75-A78, A121.

	<27> Kindall, Jerry.  GEnie, A2 Roundtable, Mar 1991, Category 2, Topic 16.

	<28> -----.  "Fortune Double 500", Fortune, June 1982.

	<29> Tommervik, Al.  "Apple IIe: The Difference", Softalk, Feb 1983, pp. 118-127, 142.

	<30> Williams, Gregg.  "The Lisa Computer System", Byte, Feb 1983, p. 43.

	<31> inCider Staff.  "100 Issues Of inCider", inCider/A+, Apr 1991, pp. 36-39.

	<32> Westerfield, Mike.  (personal mail), GEnie, E-mail, Sep 1991.

	<33> Donohoe, Kevin.  "Tomorrow's Apples Today", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Feb 1983, pp. 71-72.

	<34> Prosise, Jeff.  "A Decade Of MS-DOS", PC Magazine, Sep 24, 1991, pp. 232-233.

	<35> Rose, Frank.   p. 134.

	<36> Duprau, Jeanne, and Tyson, Molly.  "The Making Of The Apple IIGS", A+ Magazine, Nov 1986, pp. 57-74.

	<37> -----.  Apple Connection, Dec 15, 1983.

	<38> Rose, Frank.   p. 154.

	<39> Pinella, Paul.  "In The Beginning: An Interview With Harvey Lehtman", Apple IIGS: Graphics And Sound, Fall/Winter 1986, pp. 38-44.

	<40> -----.  "Tomorrow's Apples Today", Call-A.P.P.L.E., May 1984, p. 78.

	<41> Cox, John.  "The Apple Mouse //", Call-A.P.P.L.E., May 1984, pp. 34-38.

	<42> Durkee, David.  "Marketalk Reviews", Softalk, Jun 1984, p. 120.

	<43> -----.  "The Marketplace", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Jun 1984, pp. 74-75.

	<44> Rose, Frank.   p. 190.

	<45> -----.  "The Marketplace", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Sep 1984, p. 58.

	<46> Weishaar, Tom.  "Demoralized Apple II Division Announces Enhanced IIe...", Open-Apple, Apr 1985, pp. 1.25-1.27.

	<47> Weishaar, Tom.  "Apple Manuals Liberated", Open-Apple, Apr 1985, p. 1.26.

	<48> Rose, Frank.   p. 290.

	<49> -----.  "The Marketplace", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Jul 1985, p. 49.

	<50> -----.  "The Marketplace", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Nov 1985, p. 50.

	<51> Fillmore, Kent.  GEnie, A2 Roundtable, Sep 1991, Category 2, Topic 16.

	<52> Weishaar, Tom.  "Miscellanea", Open-Apple, Oct 1985, pp. 1.76.

	<53> Weishaar, Tom.  ": FLASH :", Open-Apple, Dec 1985, pp. 1.89.

	<54> Weishaar, Tom.  "Miscellanea", Open-Apple, Mar 1986, p. 2.10.

	<55> Little, Gary.  Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc, Exploring Apple GS/OS And ProDOS 8, Reading, MA, 1988, pp. 2-4.

	<56> Weishaar, Tom.  "New $999 Apple IIGS Arrives", Open-Apple, Oct 1986, pp. 2.65-2.67.

	<57> Weishaar, Tom.  "Miscellanea", Open-Apple, Oct 1986, p. 2.67.

	<58> Cochran, Dan.  "Introducing APDA", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Sep 1986, pp. 9-10.

	<59> Weishaar, Tom.  "Miscellanea", Open-Apple, Nov 1986, p. 2.74.

	<60> Stechow, Tom.  GEnie, A2 Roundtable, Aug 1991, Category 2, Topic 16.

	<61> Weishaar, Tom.  "Miscellanea", Open-Apple, Mar 1987, p. 3.12.

	<62> Geenen, Donald.  "FORTRAN-77 Forever!", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Mar 1989, pp. 20-26.

	<63> Platt, Robert, and Field, Bruce.  "A.P.P.L.E. Doctor", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Nov 1987, p. 58.

	<64> -----.  "The Marketplace", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Jun 1988, p. 23, 26.

	<65> Weishaar, Tom.  "Miscellanea", Open-Apple, Mar 1987, p. 3.94.

	<66> Weishaar, Tom.  "Apple announces file sharing, CD-ROM", Open-Apple, Apr 1988, pp. 4.17-4.18.

	<67> Weishaar, Tom.  "Mainframe genie at your service", Open-Apple, Feb 1988, pp. 4.1-4.2.

	<68> E'Sex, Lunatic.  GEnie, A2 Roundtable, Apr 1991, Category 2, Topic 16.

	<69> Weishaar, Tom.  "Miscellanea", Open-Apple, Aug 1988, p. 4.50.

	<70> Weishaar, Tom.  "Breaking the incompatibility barrier:  An introduction to Apple's GS/OS", Open-Apple, Nov 1988, pp. 4.75-4.78.

	<71> Suther, Kathryn.  "The Inside Track", Call-A.P.P.L.E., Dec 1988, p. 9.

	<72> Weishaar, Tom.  "Open-Apple becomes A2-Central", Open-Apple, Dec 1988, p. 4.84.

	<73> Doms, Dennis.  "Farewell, Old Friend", Open-Apple, Jan 1990, p. 5.89.

	<74> Doms, Dennis.  "Miscellanea", Open-Apple, Dec 1989, p. 5.83.

	<75> Doms, Dennis.  "Apple acquires Claris", Open-Apple, Aug 1990, p. 6.50.

	<76> Doms, Dennis.  "The Ides Of October", A2-Central, Dec 1990, pp. 6.81-6.82.

	<77> Weyhrich, Steven.  "And Another One Bites The Dust", M.A.C.H. News, Dec 1990, p. 3.

	<78> Doms, Dennis.  "Miscellanea", Open-Apple, Dec 1990, p. 6.84.

	<79> Doms, Dennis.  "The envelope, please", Open-Apple, Jan 1991, pp. 6.90-6.93.

	<80> Doms, Dennis.  "AppleFest Long Beach", A2-Central, Jan 1991, pp. 6.89-6.90.

	<81> Doms, Dennis.  "The Apple II as Mac peripheral", Open-Apple, Jul 1991, pp. 7.43-7.44.

	<82> Weyhrich, Steven.  "Beagle Bros Puts Apple II Phone Support On Hold", A2 News Digest, Mar 1992.

	<83> -----.  "Morgan Davis Interview", GEnie Lamp, Nov 1992.

	<84> -----.  "Designer of CP/M Dies", New York Times, 7/13/94, p. C17.
