![Bill Gates, about 27, in his Microsoft office in 1982.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_01.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
By TIME Photo
![Bill Gates, about 27, in his Microsoft office in 1982.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![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](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_02.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![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](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![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:](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![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](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_06.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![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.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_07.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![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)](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/bill_gates_08.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Breaking Down the 2024 Election Calendar
- How Nayib Bukele’s ‘Iron Fist’ Has Transformed El Salvador
- What if Ultra-Processed Foods Aren’t as Bad as You Think?
- How Ukraine Beat Russia in the Battle of the Black Sea
- Long COVID Looks Different in Kids
- How Project 2025 Would Jeopardize Americans’ Health
- What a $129 Frying Pan Says About America’s Eating Habits
- The 32 Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024
Contact us at letters@time.com