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Bill Gates: The Man Who Changed the World with Microsoft
Bill Gates is a name that holds utmost respect in the world of technology and business. He is one of the richest men in the world and the co-founder of Microsoft, which is the world's largest personal-computer software company. The question is – How a young boy with a passion for computers became a global icon of success. Let’s get to know the incredible success story of Bill Gates.
Bill Gates’s full name is William Henry Gates III. He was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. He belonged to a well-to-do family. His father, William H. Gates Sr., was a prominent lawyer and his mother, Mary Maxwell Gates, was a schoolteacher and chairwoman of the United Way International. From a very young age, Bill had an interest in computers and programming. When he was 13, he enrolled at Lakeside School, a private school in Seattle. Lakeside had a computer terminal, which was very rare at that time. Since Bill had a great interest in technology and programming, he used to spend hours learning to program and as such, he quickly became proficient in BASIC, the programming language.
At Lakeside School, Bill met Paul Allen. Both had their common interest in computers. The two became very close friends and used to spend a lot of time working on various computer and programming projects. Surprisingly, they even hacked into the school's computer system to get more computer time, which ultimately got them into trouble but also showed their dedication and skill. In 1970, when Bill was just 15, he and Paul started a small company with the name ‘Traf-O-Data’. They created a computer program to measure traffic flow. Though, their project made a very small profit, it gave them the confidence to do something bigger.
In the year of 1973, Bill enrolled at Harvard University. However, his heart was still with computers. He used to spend most of his time in the computer lab rather than attending classes. In 1974, Paul Allen showed Bill an article about the Altair 8800, the first personal computer kit. They found a huge opportunity in it, and they contacted the company that made the Altair and offered to write software for them. The company eventually agreed and within weeks, they developed a version of BASIC for the Altair. Now, this was the beginning of Microsoft.
In 1975, Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard so he could fully commit to his new company, Microsoft, which he started with Paul Allen. They moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the Altair's manufacturing company was situated. Microsoft focused on developing software for personal computers, however, their big break came in 1980 when IBM approached them to produce an operating system for their new personal computer. Bill and Paul didn’t have an operating system at that time, so they had to buy one from another company. They made changes in this operating system and named it MS-DOS. IBM's PC, running MS-DOS, proved to be a success and so, Microsoft also became very popular.
Microsoft was growing, and in 1985, they launched Microsoft Windows which was a graphical extension of MS-DOS. MS Windows made computers easier to use due to its graphical user interface. This proved to be a revolutionary step as it made personal computers accessible to a wide range of people. By the early 1990s, Microsoft had become the player topping the chart in the software market. Further, Windows 95, released in the year 1995, became a huge success and set the foundation for future versions of the operating system. Microsoft Office, a suite of productivity software, also became very popular and is still widely used today.
As Microsoft grew, so did Bill Gates' net worth. In 1986, Microsoft went public and Bill became a billionaire at the age of 31. By the late 1990s, he was the richest person on the planet and kept on to holding the title for many upcoming years. He was known for his intense work ethic and demanding nature. He used to work for long hours and was heavily involved in all the areas of Microsoft’s operations. His futuristic vision and the leadership skills were key factors contributing to the company's success.
Comes the year 2000s, - Bill began to shift his focus from Microsoft to philanthropy. He and his wife, Melinda Gates, established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with an aim to enhance healthcare, reduce poverty and expand educational opportunities throughout the world. Till date, the Gates Foundation has provided its support with billions of dollars for various causes, such as for eradication of diseases like polio and malaria, improving education in the United States and providing access to clean water and sanitation in developing countries. His commitment to making the world a better place for everyone to live, is as remarkable as his success in the business world.
In 2008, Bill stepped down from his day-to-day role at Microsoft to focus fully on his philanthropic efforts. He still remains involved with the company as a technology advisor however, prefers to spend most of his time working on global health and development issues through the Gates Foundation.
There are plenty of valuable lessons we can learn from Bill’s life and journey of success. His deep interest for computers and programming was manifest from a very young age, which he pursued persistently, even dropping out of Harvard, just to follow and fulfil his dreams. When you follow your passion and dreams, work is no more like work and you are more like to achieve success. Bill took significant risks, such as dropping out of college and starting a company with a friend. Taking calculated risks can lead to greater achievements, so we should not be afraid to step out of our comfort zone and do the best we can towards the fulfilment of our dreams. His work ethic is fabulous. He always worked long hours and was deeply involved in every area of his business, which proves that hard work and dedication are very important factors for achieving success in life.
It was Bill's competitive nature that took Microsoft to the top. Healthy competition certainly motivates you to improve and strive for excellence. Microsoft became a success because it continuously adapted to new technologies and the ever-changing market demands. Innovation is uncompromisable in staying relevant and becoming successful in any industry. Bill’s philanthropic efforts show the importance of giving back to society. No matter how successful you are, it's vital to help others and leave a positive impact on everyone’s life in the world. Bill is an avid reader and always attracted to learn new things. Continuous learning keeps your mind sharp and active, and opens up new opportunities.
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