Note
History and Release
PowerPoint originated as "Presenter" at Forethought Inc., developed by Robert Gaskins, Dennis Austin, and Thomas Rudkin. Version 1.0 launched on April 20, 1987, exclusively for Apple Macintosh computers, generating text-and-graphics pages for black-and-white handouts, notes, and overhead transparencies. It was an instant hit, prompting Microsoft to acquire Forethought for $14 million in July 1987—Microsoft's first major software purchase.
PowerPoint 2.0 was the first release under full Microsoft control. The Macintosh version shipped in May 1988, adding color capabilities for 35mm slides and earning strong reviews for its polished interface. The Windows version followed in May or June 1990, coinciding with the launch of Windows 3.0 (and sharing its version number for marketing synergy), making PowerPoint the first major application optimized for this new OS. This cross-platform expansion was crucial, as Macintosh dominated creative tools, but Windows was poised for business dominance.
In mid-1989, PowerPoint 2.0 (Mac) was bundled into the first Microsoft Office suite for Macintosh, alongside Word and Excel, laying the groundwork for Office as a productivity powerhouse.
Key Features
Compared to the monochrome 1.0, PowerPoint 2.0 introduced vibrant enhancements, though it remained focused on static slides rather than full animations (those came in 3.0). Here's a summary of major additions:
CategoryFeaturesColor & Visuals- Full color support for slides, including shaded fills and color schemes.
- Output to 35mm color slides via Genigraphics service bureau.
- Guide for color selection to ensure print-friendly palettes.
- Retrospective color scheme changes across entire presentations.Editing Tools- Enhanced word processing (e.g., find and replace, spell-checking).
- Bitstream Fontware integration for custom fonts (full install: ~35 MB).
- Outline view for easier text organization.
- Basic drawing tools, including freeform shapes, flip, rotate, scale, align, and editable imported pictures (decomposed into primitives).Platform-Specific- Windows: TrueType font support (tied to Windows 3.1); transitions between slides in slideshow mode; sound and video incorporation.
- Mac: 9-menu black-and-white UI upgraded to color; bundled tutorials, clip art, and help files as .ppt presentations.
- GraphicsLink utility for exporting to service bureaus.Output & Integration- Generated handouts, notes, overheads, and 35mm slides.
- Early OLE-like data linking (e.g., from Excel charts).
These features made it more accessible for non-designers, emphasizing quick creation of professional visuals.
Legacy and Impact
PowerPoint 2.0 bridged the gap between niche Mac tool and mainstream Windows app, boosting Microsoft's Office ecosystem. By 1990, it was used for everything from boardroom pitches to academic lectures, replacing physical slides. The 1990 Windows release, in particular, rode Windows 3.0's wave, with press demos often built in PowerPoint itself. Version 3.0 (1992) would add video, templates, and true slideshows, but 2.0's color and cross-platform push were foundational.