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走过了34年漫长路程，微软如今已经是全球第一大软件厂商。遥想1975年，Bill Gates与Paul Allen开发了首个编程语言BASIC，由此翻开了IT软件界的新篇章。微软官方社区频道Channel 9近日提供了一则关于1975年微软的珍贵视频资料，回顾了大人物们当年的青葱岁月……
Microsoft was formed soon after the introduction of the Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) Altair, the first "personal computer," a build-it-yourself kit for hobbyists. Bill Gates and Paul Allen seized the opportunity to transform this early PC into a breakthrough -- the Altair needed software, a programming language that could make it perform useful computing tasks. That"s when it all began.
Allen, employed by Honeywell, and his friend, Gates, a sophomore at Harvard, immediately set out to adapt the first personal computer language for the Altair, called BASIC. They worked in marathon 24-hour sessions to complete a working product, which was then licensed to MITS. Soon thereafter, Allen accepted a position with MITS as director of Software Development, and Gates followed him later that year to form an informal partnership called Micro-Soft, complete with hyphen.
Over the years, the PC has transformed from a hobbyist"s toy to an indispensable tool that continues to change the world. It has revolutionized how we deal with information, how we communicate, and how we work, learn and play.
Following is an overview of significant events that shaped the company in 1975.
The Year in Summary
• Revenues: $16,005
• Employees: 3 (Allen, Gates and Ric Weiland)
• MITS promotes Altair BASIC, the computer language developed by Gates and Allen for the Altair computer. Hobbyists are ecstatic, despite the fact that, even with BASIC, there is little you can actually do with the Altair.
Company Events
• The MITS Altair 8800 appears on the cover of Popular Electronics. The article inspires Paul Allen and Bill Gates to develop a BASIC Interpreter for the Altair.
• Bill Gates and Paul Allen complete BASIC and license it to their first customer, MITS of Albuquerque, N.M., the manufacturer of the Altair 8800 personal computer. This is the first computer language program written for a personal computer.
• Paul Allen joins MITS as director of Software Development.
• The MITS Altair newsletter, Computer Notes, declares, "Altair BASIC -- Up and Running."
• Gates and Allen"s BASIC officially ships as version 2.0 in both 4K and 8K editions.
• Allen and Gates sign a licensing agreement with MITS regarding the BASIC Interpreter.
• In a letter to Allen, Gates uses the name "Micro-Soft" to refer to their partnership.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
视频原稿：
Today, we’re beginning a brand new series called The History of Microsoft. Travel with us back in time as we discover the roots of one of the world"s most important technology companies. Using rare video and photos we bring you the heart of Microsoft"s struggles and successes. Every Thursday we will air a brand new episode beginning with 1975 where "The History of Microsoft" all began.
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