### Microsoft’s First Employees: The Mythical Legends Behind the 1978 Photo
Ah, Microsoft. The tech giant that’s been around longer than the average millennial has been alive. But let’s rewind back to 1978—when the company was just a scrappy startup, and its earliest employees looked like extras from a 70s sitcom. The now-iconic photo of Microsoft’s first 11 employees is less of a team picture and more of a time capsule of questionable hairstyles, awkward smiles, and mustaches that could rival Tom Selleck’s. (Seriously, the 70s called, and they want their grooming habits back.)
Fast forward to today, and these tech pioneers have either become billionaires, retired to tropical islands, or quietly vanished like that one guy from your high school reunion who “started his own thing.” Let’s dive into where these legends are now—and, spoiler alert, it’s a mix of “living the dream” and “wait, what happened to them?”
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### The 1978 Microsoft Dream Team: A Roll Call
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix raw genius, entrepreneurial spirit, and a dash of questionable fashion sense, this is it. The founding members of Microsoft were:
– **Bill Gates**: The man, the myth, the meme. Bill co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen and went on to become one of the richest people on Earth. These days, he’s channeling his billionaire energy into philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Oh, and casually saving the planet from climate change. No big deal.
– **Paul Allen**: Gates’ OG partner-in-crime. Paul helped co-found Microsoft but eventually stepped away to pursue other ventures. He became a philanthropist, art collector, and owner of multiple sports teams. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy almost as large as his yacht collection.
– **Andrea Lewis**: Microsoft’s first technical writer. She left the company early on and pursued a career in writing. Rumor has it she’s been quietly living her best life, far from the tech world’s chaos.
– **Bob O’Rear**: Microsoft’s first CFO, he left the company to become a cattle rancher in Texas. Yes, you read that right. From spreadsheets to steaks—talk about a career pivot.
– **Marc McDonald**: Microsoft’s first employee. He left in 1984, claiming the company got “too big.” (Translation: I liked it better when it was just a garage operation.) He later joined Paul Allen’s company, Asymetrix.
– **Gordon Letwin**: Stayed with Microsoft for about two decades before retiring to focus on environmental causes. Because saving the planet is apparently a Microsoft alumni hobby.
– **Steve Wood and Bob Wallace**: Both left Microsoft early to start their own ventures. Wallace was also an advocate for psychedelic drug research (because why not?), while Wood focused on telecommunications.
And then there’s the rest of the team, whose stories range from “living quietly” to “wait, who?” But hey, not everyone can be Bill Gates.
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### The Pros & Cons of Being an OG Microsoft Employee
#### Pros:
– **Stock Options**: If you held onto those Microsoft stocks from the 70s, congratulations—you’re probably reading this from your private island.
– **Startup Glory**: You were part of tech history before it was cool.
– **Legacy**: Your name will forever be linked to one of the most iconic companies in the world.
#### Cons:
– **What’s Privacy?**: That 1978 photo will follow you forever. (Yes, even if you’ve moved on to cattle ranching.)
– **Pressure to Succeed**: When your former colleagues are billionaires, the bar is set unreasonably high.
– **The Curse of “What If?”**: Left Microsoft before it hit big? Oof, that’s gotta sting.
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### Lessons Learned (Or Not): What Startups Can Take Away from Microsoft’s Early Days
1. **Hire Smart, Even If They’re Awkward**: Sure, the 1978 team didn’t look like they’d win a fashion contest, but they were brilliant. (And let’s be honest, fashion is overrated.)
2. **Start Small, Think Big**: Microsoft’s humble beginnings remind us that every giant company was once just a crazy idea in someone’s garage.
3. **Adapt or Retire**: Not everyone on the original team stayed with Microsoft, but they all found ways to pivot and thrive. (Cattle ranching included.)
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### So, Where Are They Now?
In a world obsessed with tech billionaires, it’s refreshing to remember that not everyone who helped build Microsoft stuck around for the fame and fortune. Some left to pursue quieter lives, while others became legends in their own right. Either way, the 1978 team proves that success comes in many forms—whether it’s owning a sports team, saving the planet, or, yes, raising cattle in Texas.
Want to learn more about how tech startups evolve over time? Check out our article on how startups navigate growth challenges.
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### Final Thoughts (And a Shameless CTA)
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