Microsoft turns 40

Before their was an Office, or Windows, Bill Gates had a vision for how software might someday change the world.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 40 years since Bill Gates and Paul Allen established that little software company called Microsoft.

Allen is long gone and Gates has given up his full-time role at Microsoft, but he remains on its board and works with the company on special projects.

Gates sent an email Friday to all Microsoft employees marking the occasion.

Tomorrow is a special day: Microsoft’s 40th anniversary.

Early on, Paul Allen and I set the goal of a computer on every desk and in every home. It was a bold idea and a lot of people thought we were out of our minds to imagine it was possible. It is amazing to think about how far computing has come since then, and we can all be proud of the role Microsoft played in that revolution.

Today though, I am thinking much more about Microsoft’s future than its past. I believe computing will evolve faster in the next 10 years than it ever has before. We already live in a multi-platform world, and computing will become even more pervasive. We are nearing the point where computers and robots will be able to see, move and interact naturally, unlocking many new applications and empowering people even more.

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