Apple.com, a retrospective

TUAW reader Tyler noticed that Google is celebrating its 10th anniversary by digging up its searchable archives from 2001. He took a peek at some Apple history and shared the find with us. The archives dip into the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, which I decided to use to dig up a series of archived Apple.com sites. You can surf all the way back to 1996 ... a land where Apple was still Apple Computers, the rainbow apple was still in effect, and web pages were all stuck to the left side of the screen.

According to Wikipedia, the Apple.com domain was registered in 1987 (and hacked in '97, as a marginally NSFW prank). Unfortunately, the Internet Archives only go back to '96, so that's what we're working with (if you, for whatever reason, have an image of the Apple website in the late '80s, please do make my day and send it in). Also according to Wikipedia, the 1987 registration made Apple.com the 64th oldest .com domain. These wiki-facts may or may not appear on this semester's final exam.

In addition to being a fun trip through web design history, it's a good refresher on the Apple timeline. Revel in the release of the iPod, iTunes 3, and the blazing-fast 700 Mhz iBook. In the process, you'll gain a full appreciation for the current refresh of the Apple site. If you want to save some surfing time, check out the gallery of some gems from my dig. Of course, intrepid Apple explorers can venture into the cave and see for themselves.

Thanks, Tyler!

Apple.com retrospective

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TUAW reader Tyler noticed that Google is celebrating its 10th anniversary by digging up its searchable archives from 2001. He took a peek...

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charles

Apple.com 80's photo is so hard to find. I hope someone could find one.

November 29 2008 at 7:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

twocargar

Anyone else bothered by this "a land where Apple was still Apple Computers"?

They have never been known as Apple ComputerS. It was Apple Computer.

October 08 2008 at 11:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Zyber

O, how times have changed......

October 08 2008 at 9:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Cay

It's quite funny how linux.org looks a lot like 1997's apple.com :P

October 08 2008 at 8:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mr.Clicky

the Wayback Machine will ever be only so-so interesting when only half the images on any given page are present. Bit like having a library full of books with every 10th page ripped out...

October 08 2008 at 6:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dave

I don't have an image of it, but I remember the really old Apple website having a Star Trek feel with a large image on the left, and a brushed metal look. I'll dig thru some old marketing materials I found after our move, and see if there's any pictures.

October 08 2008 at 5:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jonathan ober

The one thing I noticed (as a web designer) is aside from glossy one year, tabs or other design elements...the layout didn't change much. I think this is mostly because Apple has gotten it right with their site. Although it was only recently, within 3 years that they really outdid themselves with larger images of product, the nice easy to find info and a store that we all love to hate see donned with the dreaded note.

how come no one has a note image?

October 08 2008 at 1:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chris Aubeck

There's no reason to use "circa" in the gallery when you aren't guessing the year.

October 08 2008 at 9:20 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

noiselull

I found a more complete gallery at thoughtdifferent.com where they have an older page.

October 08 2008 at 8:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jash Sayani

"Web design history".... Sounds interesting, but I am working on Web-design future with jQuery and CSS.....

October 08 2008 at 8:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply