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Founding Microsoft and Key Milestones
Gates and Allen founded Microsoft in 1975 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after seeing the Altair 8800—a pioneering personal computer—in Popular Electronics. They developed and licensed a BASIC interpreter for it, marking Microsoft's entry into software. The company relocated to Seattle in 1979 and exploded in 1980 when IBM approached them for an operating system for its new PC. Gates shrewdly acquired a version of Gary Kildall's CP/M (renamed MS-DOS) from Seattle Computer Products and licensed it to IBM non-exclusively, allowing Microsoft to sell it to other PC makers. This deal catapulted Microsoft to dominance, as the IBM PC standard spread widely.
The book details Microsoft's aggressive expansion: developing applications like Multiplan (a spreadsheet precursor to Excel) and partnering (or clashing) with giants like IBM, Apple, and Xerox. Gates' vision positioned software as the PC's core value, leading to innovations in languages and interfaces. By the late 1980s, Microsoft had become a powerhouse, though not without setbacks like the OS/2 failure and delays in Windows.
Gates' Personality and Leadership Style
Wallace and Erickson depict Gates as a "tyrannical genius"—brilliant, intense, and often abrasive. Described as an "enfant terrible," he worked 20-hour days in jeans and loafers, drove his Mercedes at 150 mph for relaxation, and fostered a high-pressure culture at Microsoft where employees endured 80-hour weeks (some even building homemade bombs to relieve stress). His combative nature earned him nicknames like "The Silicon Bully," alienating rivals and even staff through arrogance and hostility. Yet, his relentless drive, strategic use of copyrights (influenced by his lawyer father's firm), and unyielding focus on market dominance fueled Microsoft's success. The authors highlight his greed and competitive spirit, portraying him as someone who could "do anything he put his mind to," as he once boasted at age 11.
Controversies and Industry Impact
The book exposes Microsoft's cutthroat practices, including the high-profile split with IBM (which allied with Apple against Microsoft), public relations scandals, and exploits like outmaneuvering competitors. It covers Federal Trade Commission investigations into monopolistic behavior and criticisms of unfair licensing. Gates' empire-building threatened industry leaders, revolutionizing software but sparking envy and legal battles. The narrative underscores how Gates transformed computing from a hardware-dominated field into a software-driven one, making him America's youngest billionaire by age 37.
Overall, "Hard Drive" is a gripping, dramatic exposé that humanizes Gates while critiquing his methods, offering valuable insights into the PC revolution's origins. It's praised for its readability and detail, though some note its focus on Gates' flaws. If you're interested in tech history, it's a foundational read on Microsoft's formative years.