Apple Turns 50: 7 Lesser-Known Facts About the Iconic Tech Heavyweight

As Apple celebrates turning 50, we take a closer look at the brand and its impact through some little facts that have made the company what it is today. 

This year, Apple celebrates 50 years of existence, a milestone not many brands that are around today can say they’ve reached. Over the last five decades, it has shaped not only the way we approach consumer technology, but also pop culture, advancements in hardware/software innovation, and so much more. We’re incredibly familiar with its products—namely the iPod,  iPhone, iMac, MacBook, iPad, AirTag, HomePod, and others—with major events marking each one’s arrival. With every launch, we’re introduced to groundbreaking new features, which give us even more ways to streamline our workflows or daily tasks. 

Ultimately, Apple has become a cornerstone of how its users live, but its identity goes beyond the macro. What makes Apple the brand it is today is its attention to detail, to the finer things that might even go unnoticed. With that, here are seven facts about the brand that you might not have known! 

1. THE FIRST APPLE PRODUCT WAS LAUNCHED IN 1976

While the brand was founded on 1 April 1976, the first-ever Apple product made its debut later that year in July. The Apple I was a personal computer that co-founder Steve Wozniak built by hand. It retailed for US$666.66, sold as a motherboard alone without a keyboard, monitor, or casing. While it only sold 200 units, this was the company’s first major breakthrough, and its successor, the Apple II, achieved even greater success. It went on to introduce other groundbreaking computing products, including the award-winning iMac G3 and the latest MacBook Pro with M5 chip. 

 2. THERE IS A STORY BEHIND THE 9:41 TIME ON THE DEVICES SHOWN DURING PRODUCT LAUNCHES

Take a closer look at the screens on each of the Apple products when they are launched. Even better, head to their website and check out the lock screens on the devices, whether it be the iPhone, MacBook Pro, or even iPad. Notice anything? Well, we’ll tell you anyway! All the devices are set to 9:41. 

The reasoning for this, according to former Senior Vice President of iOS Software Scott Forstall, is the team’s desire for the time shown to be close to the actual time of the product’s launch. Historically, the major product announcements happen about 40 minutes into the keynote, but to give some wiggle room for timing, they opted to go with 9:41 instead of 9:40. 

3. THE TYPEFACE USED ACROSS ALL APPLE PRODUCTS IS CALLED SAN FRANCISCO

Clean, consistent, and versatile, San Francisco is an Apple-designed typeface that users can see across Apple products and systems. The font is known to be one of the most incredible typefaces in existence, thanks to its incredible legibility at every point size and resolution, as well as its range of weights, availability across features like fractions and indices, and flexibility. According to Apple’s developer website, the colon even switches to a vertically-centered form when indicating time—a true display of its adaptability. 

4. APPLE IS KNOWN TO HIDE THE NAME OF ITS DEVICES WITHIN THEIR DEFAULT WALLPAPERS

While this may not be true for all Apple products from the beginning of their time, the company has recently been adding cryptic (or not so cryptic for eagle-eyed fans) nods to selected product lineups via its default abstract-style wallpapers. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at the MacBook Pro, iPad Air, and the latest MacBook Neo—just to name a few! 

5. THE @HELLOAPPLE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND

 

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A post shared by Hello Apple (@helloapple)

In celebration of this milestone birthday, Apple introduced its second account, @helloapple. This is the first time the company has introduced a page, solely dedicated to storytelling and behind-the-scenes content. So far, followers have been treated to vlogs from visual artists, fashion designers, musical talents, and more, who all have incorporated Apple into their creative workflows. 

6. APPLE RECENTLY DEBUTED LIL FINDER GUY IN TANDEM WITH THE MACBOOK NEO

@appleget festive!♬ original sound – apple

While most of the world marvelled at Apple’s latest device, the MacBook Neo, dedicated followers on TikTok would have also been introduced to an adorable figurine, lovingly dubbed “Lil Finder Guy” by its fans. 

As the MacBook Neo was developed with younger university-level students in mind, the company had to shift its way of reaching out to its intended audience. And considering we’re living in 2026, TikTok was the obvious choice and introducing a cute anthropomorphic mascot naturally followed. You’ll be able to spot the little figurine across Apple’s content on the app, perched above the MacBook Neo, pointing out new MacOS features, and more. 

7. APPLE REWARDS THOSE WHO HELP KEEP ITS DEVICES, SOFTWARES & SERVICES SAFE THROUGH APPLE SECURITY BOUNTY

Apple’s security and privacy systems are known to be among the most comprehensive in the world. However, you can never be too safe… With that, the Apple Security Bounty programme was introduced in 2020 to recognise the public’s contributions in protecting users. 

Any company or expert individual who has helped identify attacks or security compromises stand a chance to receive rewards of up to US$2,000,000. According to Apple, the company has awarded a total of over US$35,000,000 to over 800 security researchers—plus multiple individual reports also earning US$500,000 rewards—since the programme’s inception.

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