Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary, a milestone that brings back memories of the company’s humble beginnings. At the heart of this story is Paul Allen, co-founder and driving force behind the software giant. In the early 1980s, Allen made the call to introduce two green buttons on the beige Microsoft Mouse, which was met with skepticism by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. However, Allen believed that simplicity and power could be balanced, leading to the development of applications beyond operating systems and programming languages.
Allen’s partnership with Bill Gates started at Seattle’s Lakeside School, where they bonded over their love for computers. The two went on to form a successful software vision that defined Microsoft’s future. “Paul deserves so much credit for what Microsoft is,” said Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft. Without Allen’s genius and push, there would be no Microsoft.
Allen left Microsoft in 1983 after battling Hodgkin’s disease and an incident where he overheard Gates and Ballmer discussing reducing his stake in the company. He went on to pursue various investments, companies, sports teams, community initiatives, and philanthropic pursuits. His legacy lives on through non-profit organizations such as the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the Allen School for Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington.
In a 2005 interview, Allen reflected on his humble beginnings, saying that he never could have imagined the partnership growing into what it became. He recalled reading up on new technology developments and Gates reading about big companies. “It’s amazing how some of those dreams came true,” he said, including his vision for the mouse.
Today, Microsoft is marking a major milestone, and Paul Allen’s legacy continues to shape the company’s future. His impact on the tech industry and beyond will be remembered for generations to come.
Source: https://www.geekwire.com/2025/remembering-microsofts-other-co-founder-how-paul-allens-vision-sparked-a-software-revolution