Bill Gates: The Early Years

Bill Gates, about 27, in his Microsoft office in 1982.
Bill Gates, about 27, in his Microsoft office in 1982.Philip Amidal
By TIME Photo
Bill Gates, about 27, in his Microsoft office in 1982.
Bill Gates, about 27, in his Microsoft office in 1982.Philip Amidal
Future Microsoft head Bill Gates watching his friend (and future co-founderof Microsoft) Paul Allen typing on a keyboard when they were students at lakeside School.Future Microsoft head Bill Gates watching his friend (and future co-founderof Microsoft) Paul Allen typing on a keyboard when they were students at lakeside School.FC 17513 (8X10)Subject Date: 0/0/1968Last Published: March 31, 2003Series: TIMETitle: Caption: Future Microsoft head Bill Gates watching his friend (and future co-founderof Microsoft) Paul Allen typing on a keyboard when they were students at lakeside School.City: State/Province: WACountry: USPhotographer: Photog Status: FREELANCEAgency: LAKESIDE SCHOOL/MICROSOFTSyndication By: AGENCYSubjects: SPECIAL COLLECTIONS-20TH CENTURY SELECTPersonalities: GATES, WILLIAM H. III ALLEN, PAULSource: FORTUNERef No: 05838008.JPGMedium: B/W TRANSPARENCY
Gates watches his friend and future Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen typing on a teletype terminal at the Lakeside School in Seattle in 1968. Gates was 13 when he entered the exclusive prep school, which was around the time this photo was taken.Lakeside School/Microsoft
Future billionaire computer wiz Bill Gates reclining on desktop & talking on phone while attending private Lakeside School.Filing Place: TC 104378Subject Date: 0/0/1973Last Published: January 25, 1999Series: TIMETitle: Caption: Future billionaire computer wiz Bill Gates reclining on desktop & talking on phone while attending private Lakeside School.City: SEATTLEState/Province: WACountry: USPhotographer: Photog Status: FREELANCEAgency: LAKESIDE SCHOOLSyndication By: AGENCYSubjects: Personalities: GATES, WILLIAM H. IIISource: TIMERef No: 05586784.JPGMedium: B/W TRANSPARENCY
Much of the computer equipment at Lakeside was bought with proceeds from a rummage sale organized by the students' mothers. Gates was drawn to programming the machines and was excused from math classes to pursue his interest.Lakeside School
Gates during Commencement at the Lakeside School in 1973.The Microsoft Archives
Photo of Bill Gates mug shot from the book "The Dog Dialed 911."Filename: 116570.jpgTake/Roll/Frame: Date Taken: November 1, 2006Photographer: Agency: SMOKING GUNCity: State: Country: US Reference: 21148Filing Place:?Location: Photo #: 13111098Keywords: "BILLGATES" Selling rights: NOwned? NoSyndicator: AGENCYPixels x Scans: 1466 x 1032Input Date: November 1, 2006 16:51Date last Output: (unknown date)Date last Published: November 13, 2006Series: PEOPLE Title:
In 1977, Gates was arrested by New Mexico police for speeding.
Microsoft co-founders Paul Allen (L) & Bill Gates (R).Filing Place: FC 17513Subject Date: 0/0/1982Last Published: October 2, 1995Series: FORTUNETitle: Caption: Microsoft co-founders Paul Allen (L) & Bill Gates (R).City: SEATTLEState/Province: WACountry: USPhotographer: BARRY WONGPhotog Status: FREELANCEAgency: SEATTLE TIMESSyndication By: AGENCYSubjects: Personalities: GATES, WILLIAM H. III ALLEN, PAULSource: FORTUNERef No: 05836435.JPGMedium: B/W TRANSPARENCY
Gates and Paul Allen in Microsoft's offices in 1982. Started initially in New Mexico, the company moved to Bellevue, Wash., in January 1979.Barry Wong—Seattle Times
Microsoft foundering staff (L-R) (front) Bill Gates, Andrea Lewis, Marla Wood & Paul Allen; (top) Steve Wood, Bob Wallace & Jim Lane; (middle) Bob O'Rear, Bob Greenberg, March McDonald & Gordon Letwin.
The early team at Microsoft paused for a group portrait in 1978. Gates is at the bottom left.Microsoft/AP
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, behind a pile of books, holds up Bookshelf, a new compact disc for computers which holds all the information contained in the books pictured. (Photo by Doug Wilson//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)
Gates demonstrates the memory power of a CD in 1987.Doug Wilson—Time & Life Pictures/AP

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