Tim Cook Says iPhone Launch Was His Favorite Apple Moment in 50th Anniversary Interview

For the 50th anniversary, Apple is invited The Wall Street JournalBen Cohen went to Apple Park to meet Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Cohen and Cook looked for rare archival materials from Apple’s early days, some of which Cook didn’t even know how to practice. Cook said he saw many of the devices for the first time while preparing for Apple’s 50th anniversary.

Items on display include the first patent filed by Apple, which was for the Apple II, the original 2001 iPod, early iPhone parts and prototypes, the Apple Watch Cook wore on stage when announcing the device, and more.

According to Cook, the launch of the iPhone was his favorite moment at Apple. When asked why, he said it was because the phone was something that everyone at Apple used every day.

We were using the smart phone of that generation, and it was a terrible thing. And I love the fact that you suddenly have this touch interface, and it works like your mind worked.

Cook declined to talk about future products, but suggested that Apple’s next product will be something that “finds the convergence of hardware, software, and services.” Cook also declined to comment on his resignation. “My answer to that is that when the day comes, I will know,” he said.

Apple celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Paul McCartney concert for employees last night, and today, in addition to speaking with The Wall Street JournalCook sent a heartfelt letter to the staff.

Today marks the official 50th anniversary of Apple. And as we celebrate that milestone this month, I’ve been thinking about the powerful words from Steve.

“When you grow up, you are used to being told that the world is like this,” he said. “But life can be much wider if you find one simple truth: everything around you that you call life was made by people who were less intelligent than you. You can change it, you can influence it, you can create your own things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you will never be the same again.”

These are the practices that brought Apple to the world in 1976–and for fifty years, they are what have drawn the smartest, most passionate, most creative and most dedicated people to the company.

We come here to do the best work of our lives, and achieve more than any of us can do alone. To be part of a culture that asks us to be curious, to collaborate deeply, to seek beauty in ourselves and the people around us, and to believe—with true belief—that we can do the impossible.

In all our groups and generations, we are united by a simple belief: the future is not something you wait for. It’s something you build. And it’s amazing to think about everything we’ve built together.

Fifty years ago, there was one computer prototype in the garage. Today, there are 2.5 billion active Apples in the hands of people in every corner of the world – helping them to create, connect, learn and communicate in ways that would have seemed unimaginable at the time.

It is impossible to fully quantify the enormous impact this company and its people have had on the world. And it’s really special to do what we do every day, knowing that our work is focused on empowering people and enriching their lives.

Whether you joined this year or have been here for years, I hope you’ll take a minute to think about what your job means. Thank you.

Thank you for pushing yourself further than you thought you could go. Thank you for believing in our work and sticking firmly to our principles. Thank you for giving of yourself to something much bigger than any of us.

Although it is strange to think back to fifty years ago, what I find most interesting is what follows. The opportunities before us are among the hundreds we have ever seen – and no group on earth is better prepared to meet them.

Thanks for everything and here’s to the next fifty years.