Bill Gates: The Early Years

Bill Gates, about 27, in his Microsoft office in 1982.

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.

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.

Gates during Commencement at the Lakeside School in 1973.

In 1977, Gates was arrested by New Mexico police for speeding.

Gates and Paul Allen in Microsoft's offices in 1982. Started initially in New Mexico, the company moved to Bellevue, Wash., in January 1979.

The early team at Microsoft paused for a group portrait in 1978. Gates is at the bottom left.

Gates demonstrates the memory power of a CD in 1987.