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Guide to the Mike Markkula collection of early Apple Computer material
X4554.2008
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Title: Mike Markkula collection of early Apple Computer material
Identifier/Call Number: X4554.2008
Contributing Institution:
Computer History Museum
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
11.0 Linear feet,
6 record cartons, 2 periodical boxes, 2 oversize boxes
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1979-1985
Date (inclusive): 1977-1998
Abstract: The Mike Markkula collection of early Apple Computer material consists of material produced or collected by Markkula during
his time at Apple Computer, Inc. in various capacities from CEO to chairman of the board. Ranging in date from 1977 to 1998,
the collection includes Apple marketing, public relations, dealer and consultant materials, manuals, and software. There is
also a small amount of software and manuals produced by companies other than Apple.
creator:
Markkula, Armas Clifford (Mike), Jr.
Collection surveyed by Sydney Gulbronson Olson, 2017. Collection processed by Jack Doran, December 2018.
The collection is open for research.
The Computer History Museum (CHM) can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying
any claims of the copyright holder. Requests for copying and permission to publish, quote, or reproduce any portion of the
Computer History Museum’s collection must be obtained jointly from both the copyright holder (if applicable) and the Computer
History Museum.
[Identification of Item], [Date], Mike Markkula collection of early Apple Computer material, X4554.2007, Box [#], Folder [#],
Catalog [#], Computer History Museum.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mike Markkula, 2007.
Armas Clifford (Mike) Markkula, Jr. was born February 11, 1942 in Los Angeles, California. Markkula attended Glendale Junior
College for two years before transferring to the University of Southern California where he earned his bachelor’s (1964) and
master’s degrees (1966) in electrical engineering. While an undergraduate student Markkula began working at Hughes Aircraft
Company in the Research and Development Laboratory. He continued with Hughes until graduation, when he accepted a position
with Fairchild Semiconductor as a product marketing manager. After approximately four years Markkula left Fairchild to join
Intel as a marketing director. In 1974 at the age of 32 Markkula retired on the basis of stock options.
In 1977 Markkula was introduced to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak through Don Valentine. Markkula was so impressed by the computer
that Steve Wozniak had designed and built that he offered to help write a business plan. Shortly thereafter Markkula invested
in Apple and began working for the company, bringing business experience and connections in the venture capital industry to
the company. As the third employee, he not only helped to manage the company, but he also mentored the young founders during
Apple’s early period of extreme growth. In addition, Markkula wrote some of the early software programs for the Apple II under
the pseudonym Johnny Appleseed. Markkula was Apple’s second CEO from 1981 to 1983, and served as chairman from 1985 to 1997,
when he again retired.
In 1986 Markkula provided the initial funding for what is now known as the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara
University. Since his retirement from Apple Markkula has continued to act as an angel investor in a range of companies, including
Echelon Corporation.
Scope and Content of the Collection
The Mike Markkula collection of early Apple Computer material consists of Apple and non-Apple materials from 1977 through
1998, including a copy of the Apple marketing philosophy Markkula authored, marketing materials from the early years of the
company such as annual report and stock options, and public relations materials including articles published between 1979
and 1983 featuring profiles or information on Markkula, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, John Scully, Apple Inc. and their products.
There are also newsletters and other documents related to the Apple II and IIe which were produced for users, dealers, and
Apple consultants. The majority of the collection is made up of manuals for the use of the Apple II, Apple IIe, Apple III
and related or compatible software and hardware. There is also a collection of manuals for software programs published by
Apple, Claris, and non-Apple companies. Software makes up approximately one third of the collection.
The collection is arranged into 5 series:
Series 1, Internal materials, 1977-1984
Series 2, Apple user groups, 1977-1983
Series 3, Apple dealer records, 1978-1982
Series 4, Manuals, 1978-1994, bulk 1978-1984
Series 5, Software, 1978-1998, bulk 1979-1985
Ephemera were separated from the main collection. To view catalog records for separated material search the CHM catalog at
http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/search/ .
Markkula, Mike (Armas Clifford, Jr.) oral history, Lot X6501.2012, catalog number 102746385.
Related Collections at Other Repositories
Apple Computer Inc. Records, M1107, Stanford University Manuscripts Division.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Apple Computer, Inc.
Apple II (Computer)
Apple IIe (computer)