Join James and Barry in this week's episode of Brainy Podcasts' "The History of Technology" as they dive into the fascinating stories from the founding of Microsoft. Discover the clever maneuver when Bill Gates told IBM they owned DOS, despite having acquired it from Seattle Computer Products, which set the stage for Microsoft's dominance in the operating system market. Hear how Gates and Paul Allen's development of BASIC for the Altair 8800 marked a significant breakthrough, making personal computing accessible to hobbyists and tech enthusiasts alike.

The episode also explores the origin of Microsoft's name, the pivotal role of Windows 3.0 in revolutionizing personal computing, and the intriguing early partnership between Microsoft and Apple. Learn how Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, despite being competitors, collaborated to develop software for the Macintosh, leading to the creation of Microsoft Word and Excel for Mac. This strategic partnership not only helped Apple but also expanded Microsoft's reach and influence. Tune in to uncover these stories and more, highlighting the vision, perseverance, and innovative spirit that propelled Microsoft to become a tech giant.