May 6, 1998 — iMac Presentation

In 1997, Steve Jobs returned to Apple — the story of the relationship between the founder and the company is one of the most fascinating in IT history. Jobs came back more than 10 years after being forced out and immediately started pushing bold, memorable products. The iMac became a symbol of his return and Apple’s comeback as an innovative company — both in technology and design.

By the mid-1990s, Apple was in serious trouble: the company was losing money, its product lineup was confusing, and competition from Windows PCs was getting stronger every year. A series of failed strategies and constant leadership changes left Apple’s future uncertain. Still, both fans and the broader tech community welcomed Jobs’s return, and about a year and a half later his team introduced a computer that actually felt new again.

What was innovative about the iMac?

The iMac looked nothing like other PCs of the time: an all-in-one machine with a translucent plastic case (designed by Jonathan Ive), no floppy drive, and no clutter of legacy ports — just USB. It was marketed as an “internet computer”: built-in modem and Ethernet, quick setup out of the box, and minimal cables. Even the carrying handle was intentional — the computer was meant to feel like a simple household object, not complicated equipment.

It looked striking, it was thoughtfully packaged, and nothing quite like it was coming from other major computer companies at the time.

The story of the iMac’s development and presentation has been retold in many films about Steve Jobs, which says a lot about its cultural impact.