Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Inc, which set the computing world on its ear with the Macintosh in 1984.

The quote "Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Inc, which set the computing world on its ear with the Macintosh in 1984" by Kevin Mitnick highlights the transformative impact that Apple Inc. and its co-founders, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, had on the computing industry. Mitnick, a renowned hacker and security expert, is acknowledging how the Macintosh, released in 1984, revolutionized the personal computer market. The phrase "set the computing world on its ear" emphasizes the disruption caused by Apple's innovative design and user-friendly interface, which challenged existing norms in computing technology.

The origin of this quote is situated in the 1980s, a time when personal computers were largely seen as tools for businesses and specialists, not for the general public. Apple, with its introduction of the Macintosh, redefined what a personal computer could be. The Macintosh was one of the first computers to feature a graphical user interface (GUI), making it accessible to people who weren't familiar with complex programming. This shift was a game-changer in the way people interacted with computers, emphasizing design, usability, and innovation over the technical barriers that had previously existed.

Mitnick's reference to the Macintosh as a device that "set the computing world on its ear" underscores the disruptive nature of Apple’s technology. Prior to the Macintosh, most computers were command-line-based, requiring users to type in specific instructions. The Macintosh introduced the concept of point-and-click computing, which made technology far more approachable and intuitive for everyday users. This revolutionary step was instrumental in making computers more mainstream and accessible to a wider audience.

In essence, Mitnick’s quote highlights the vision and innovation of Wozniak and Jobs, who not only created Apple Inc. but also helped shape the future of personal computing. The Macintosh was a turning point in the evolution of computers, marking the beginning of a new era where technology would be designed with the user in mind. Their impact continues to resonate in modern technology and consumer electronics today.