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Traft 'O' Data
Development of a computer program that monitored traffic in Seattle. Netted $20,000 -
College Drop Out
Gates dropped out of Harvard University after changing tracks from a career in law to something tech based -
Business Venture
Gates partnered with Paul Allen to create Microsoft -
No Open Source
Gates wrote a letter to hobbyists stating "preventing good software from being distributed without pay" -
MITS is Sold
Due to disagreements with Gates, Ed Roberts sold MITS leaving Gates on his own. -
Challenging Authority
Gates sues the new owner of MITS for software -
Microsoft
1979, grossing more than 2.57 million; at the age of 23 Gates placed himself as the head of the company. -
Software
Microsoft develops software for IBM -
Microsoft invited to partner
Apple invited Microsoft to work on new software for Macintosh -
Gates stands alone
Paul Allen steps down from Microsoft due to Hodgkins disease leaving Gates alone. -
Software Development
software developers were unwilling to write programs for the VisiCorp system and it lost momentum by early 1985. -
More Legal Issues
Apple threatened to sue, and Microsoft retaliated, saying it would delay shipment of its Microsoft-compatible software for Macintosh users. -
Legalities and Preservation
Throughout the 1990s, Microsoft faced a string of Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department investigations but Microsoft was able to push through -
Honored
He was knighted as an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005. -
More Recognition
In 2016, Gates and his wife Melinda were recognized for their philanthropic work when they were named recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. -
Guest Appearance
In early 2018, Gates achieved another distinction with the announcement he would guest star on an episode of The Big Bang Theory.
