Ronald Wayne
Ronald Wayne | |
|---|---|
 Wayne in 2024 | |
| Born | Ronald Gerald Wayne May 17, 1934 |
| Known for | Co-founder of Apple Inc. |
| Website | Official website |
Ronald Gerald Wayne (Ronald G.Wayne) (born May 17, 1934) is an American retired electronics industry pioneer. On April 1, 1976, Wayne formalized a partnership agreement with Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs , establishing Apple Computer Company (now Apple Inc.). The agreement allocated 45% of the partnership to Wozniak, 45% to Jobs, and 10% to Wayne. Responsibilities were divided as follows: Wozniak would handle all electrical engineering, Jobs would focus on electrical engineering and marketing, and Wayne would oversee mechanical engineering and documentation. This structure, designed by Wayne, was intended to provide mentorship, prototype development, oversight, and documentation for the fledgling company.
Despite his strong belief in Apple’s potential, Wayne decided to step away just 12 days after its formation to pursue opportunities in a field that had long captivated his interest: the transition from mechanical to electronic slot machines. While some have questioned his decision to exit the company so early, Wayne has consistently maintained that, given the circumstances and information available at the time, it was the most prudent choice. At the time, personal computers for home use were a nascent and untested market fraught with significant risks.
One such risk arose from the Byte Shop, an unproven retail sales channel, which placed a large order for 200 Apple I systems. To fulfill the order, Jobs secured a $15,000 line of credit (equivalent to $84,000 in 2025) from Cramer Electronics to purchase the necessary components. As the only partner with personal assets, Wayne faced substantial financial exposure if the venture failed. Additionally, he was reluctant to limit himself to the role of chief documentation officer or any position that might constrain his creative and engineering capabilities, which thrived on designing innovative solutions and creating entire systems from scratch.
To mitigate his financial risk, the trio reconvened on April 12, 1976, to sign an amendment, drafted by Wayne, to modify the Apple Computer Company Partnership Agreement. This amendment, which Wayne filed with the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office, relinquished his 10% stake in the company back to Jobs and Wozniak in exchange for $800 (equivalent to $4,390 in 2024) and indemnity from any future creditor claims. It took several months after the agreement for Wayne to receive the $800 payment, formalizing his release from financial responsibility. About a year later, he accepted a final payment of $1,500 (equivalent to $8,231 in 2024) to forfeit any potential future claims against the newly incorporated Apple Inc.
Early life and education
[edit]Ronald Wayne was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 17, 1934. He trained as a technical draftsman at the School of Industrial Art High School in New York City, graduating in 1953. Shortly thereafter, he began working for a small publications firm specializing in creating service, overhaul, operation, and maintenance manuals for military and commercial electronic equipment.
In this role, Wayne honed his skills as a draftsman, gaining expertise in schematic and wiring diagrams. Through self-education on military surplus hardware he obtained following WWII, he developed a deep understanding of basic electronics during the vacuum tube era and adapted his knowledge as technology evolved. He mastered the transition to integrated circuits, which enabled conditional logic, and later to microprocessors, which provided full programmatic control of devices. This progression solidly established Wayne as a versatile and innovative contributor within the field of electronics.
Career
[edit]In 1956, aged 22, he relocated to California and pursued a career in “job-shop employment”, a temporary contracting of professional services. These early experiences developed his proficiency as a qualified machinist, technical writer, circuit/product designer, and junior engineer. The enhancements obtained in these positions led to a two-year contract with prestigious Lawrence Livermore Laboratories.
Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, Livermore, CA (1963-1965)
[edit]Designer – Model Shop Manager
[edit]- Contracted through a San Jose-based job-shop to create precision scale models of elements within the Mirror Fusion Reactor in ABS plastic.
- Established and managed an in-house model-building capability for the Mirror Fusion Program.
Wayne’s employment at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories was arranged through a San Jose-based job-shop. At the time, the Laboratory commonly relied on external contractors for the fabrication of engineering and presentation models. Shortly after he was hired as a design drafter for the Mirror Fusion Program, management recognized his expertise in model building and entrusted him with the establishment of an in-house model-building capability.
In this role, Ronald was directly involved in designing and fabricating precision scale models of key components of the new Mirror Fusion Reactor, primarily using ABS plastic. By the end of his two-year contract, the model shop was fully operational, staffed, and producing high-quality work to support the Laboratory’s engineering objectives.
Freelance Engineer & Centaur Mini Computer Devices (1966-1973) - Ronald resumed “Job-Shop employment,” which continued until his engagement as a permanent employee at Atari in 1973. During this period, Ronald took on several short-term positions that further advanced his technical education and skillset. Driven by a personal curiosity and interest in casino gaming, Wayne began developing prototypes in the mid-1960s to early 1970s. In 1971, Wayne started his first business (Centaur Mini Computer Devices) designing and manufacturing slot machines and other electronic gaming equipment. His pioneering concept was to design a line of electronic slot machines and table game models to replace the mechanical versions dominating the market, such as those produced by Mills Novelty Company and Jennings & Company. These prototypes sought to modernize gaming technology by incorporating advanced circuitry and electronic features, transcending the limitations of purely mechanical devices.
The venture faced significant competitive challenges and ultimately did not succeed. Nevertheless, Wayne feels the process profoundly enriched his expertise in electronic design and product development, laying the groundwork for his future achievements in engineering and innovation which includes the work he performed for Apple.
Atari (1973–1976)
[edit]As Senior Design Engineer, Wayne established the official documentation and materials control systems at Atari. This sophisticated cataloging and inventory tracking system dramatically improved Atari's manufacturing efficiency and eliminated substantial losses attributable to lost, duplicated, and mis-filed raw materials required to fabricate final complete video game consoles. The documentation system included operating instructions, circuit diagrams, and cabinet designs for all arcade games sold by Atari. As product development manager, he designed video game enclosures and led development of games such as Gran-Track Racing. His Atari tenure ended following the Warner Communications acquisition.
Apple (1976–1977)
[edit]In 1976, Ronald Wayne was highly regarded throughout Atari for his sophisticated and comprehensive internal corporate documentation systems at the three-year-old Atari.[6] During his time there, he worked with Steve Jobs and later met Steve Wozniak[7], who did not work for Atari. At Jobs' request, Wayne hosted the two at his home to mediate one of their typically intense discussions about computer design and the future of the industry. Their shared vision focused on developing innovative hardware entirely from scratch. Jobs envisioned creating a company to sell computers for home use—a revolutionary concept at the time—while Wozniak, deeply protective of his architectural designs, wanted to make his sophisticated architectural designs freely available within the public domain.
During a pivotal meeting on April 1, 1976, Wayne aligned with Jobs’ vision that Wozniak’s hardware designs should become proprietary to Apple. After Wayne successfully persuaded Wozniak to adopt this approach, Jobs enthusiastically declared, “That’s it, we are going to form a company!” In the two-hour conversation that followed, Jobs proposed founding a computer company with Wozniak, suggesting a 45-45-10 split, with Wayne holding 10% to act as a tie-breaker in decision-making. Wozniak would handle electrical engineering, Jobs would focus on electrical engineering and marketing, and Wayne would oversee mechanical engineering and documentation. This structure, overseen by Wayne, provided mentorship, prototype development, oversight, and documentation for the fledgling company. Wayne took this information and created 3 copies of the Apple Computer Company Apple Computer Company Partnership Agreement which were signed by the trio that day.
At 42, Wayne was the “adult in the room,” bringing stability and maturity to the venture. He drafted the original partnership agreement, and on April 1, 1976, the trio officially founded Apple Computer. Wayne also contributed by designing the first Apple logo, known as the "Apple Newton," and writing the Apple I Operations Manual.
However, Wayne’s risk-averse approach to business was substantially shaped by the traumatic failure of his slot machine company, Centaur Mini-Computer Devices, five years earlier, which left him repaying debts for a year. This experience, combined with the financial risks posed by Apple, influenced his decision to step away. Jobs had quickly secured a $15,000 line of credit (equivalent to $84,000 in 2025) from Cramer Electronics to purchase materials for Apple’s first order: 50 computers at $500 wholesale price, $25,000 from The Byte Shop, an unproven retailer. As the only partner with personal assets, Wayne faced significant financial exposure if the venture failed. Additionally, the partnership agreement held all members personally liable for business debts. Unlike Jobs and Wozniak, then 21 and 25, Wayne had far more to lose.
Wayne also realized his interests lay in original product engineering, particularly in slot machines, rather than the documentation role he was expected to manage at Apple. Feeling overshadowed by the younger, more dynamic Jobs and Wozniak, Wayne decided to withdraw from the partnership. He expressed this as a feeling that he was "standing in the shadow of giants of product design”. On April 12, 1976, he returned to the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office filing an amendment formally relinquishing his involvement in the company and additional financial exposure. In exchange for his 10% stake, Wayne was eventually paid $800 (equivalent to $4,390 in 2024) later that year and this compensated him and indemnified against any future claims from creditors. About a year later, Wayne accepted a final payment of $1,500 (equivalent to $8,231 in 2024) to forfeit any further claims against Apple.
Despite his withdrawal, Wayne continued assisting the company for several months. Steve Wozniak later confirmed that Wayne remained involved during Apple’s early development. In retrospect, Wayne has stated he does not regret selling his share, as he made the best decision based on the risks and information available at the time. Reflecting on his choice, Wayne explained, “The Apple enterprise had great promise to become very successful, but there were significant challenges. I had already experienced a business failure, and at my age, I couldn’t risk it. Jobs and Wozniak were whirlwinds—it was like having a tiger by the tail. I couldn’t keep up with these guys.”
Although Apple went on to become one of the most valuable companies in the world, Wayne has said that staying with the company might have made him “the richest man in the cemetery.”
Apple Contributions
[edit]- The internal documentation and inventory tracking systems developed by Ronald Wayne for Atari were quickly adapted for use by Apple.
- Wayne also crafted Apple’s first company logo, known as the "Apple Newton."
- The original Apple I prototype system was constructed using wire-wrap technology, which connected the microprocessor to individual circuit components. Ronald created the detailed hardware schematic circuit drawings included in the Apple I Operations Manual. These schematics were essential in developing the printed circuit board artwork used for the mass production of motherboards. These motherboards were critical to enabling the fledgling company to produce consumer-ready Apple I computer systems.
- Wayne also authored the Apple I Operations Manual, providing early users with detailed instructions for assembling and operating this new home computing appliance. At the time, in 1976, personal computers had no predefined purpose, leaving users to rely on these initial instructions to guide them as they explored their new system’s potential.
- The Apple I lacked a formal electronics enclosure, leading many purchasers to improvise with large briefcases. However, with the Apple II, Apple recognized the need for an efficient and protective enclosure for its system components. Wayne’s design for the Apple II case, inspired by a tambour-door desk, serves as the inspiration for the new enclosure.
- To further streamline the Apple II’s profile, reduce its footprint and cost, and eliminate the need for complex system assembly, Wayne devised an innovative strategy to horizontally mount the motherboard. This design allowed the monitor to be positioned atop the computer case enclosure and this configuration consolidated as many individual components as possible within a single enclosure. Wayne’s horizontal orientation not only optimized the Apple II but also influenced the configuration of all later designs, including the Macintosh and modern laptops.
After Apple
[edit]Shortly after leaving Apple, Wayne resisted Jobs's attempts to get him to return, remaining at Atari until 1978, when he joined Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and later Thor Electronics, an electronics manufacturing company in Salinas, California.[15]
In the late 1970s, Wayne ran a stamp shop Wayne’s Philatelics in Milpitas, California, for a short time. After several break-ins, he transferred his stamp operations to his home.[15][16]
Steve Jobs approached him again as a business contact for Apple, but Wayne refused to forward Jobs's proposal to purchase a friend's company. Wayne believed that his friend should retain ownership of the company, supplying this technology to Apple under exclusive license instead of selling the business. Wayne later expressed regret for interfering with this decision instead of allowing the negotiations to be made directly between the parties.[6]
9 Patents held by Ronald G. Wayne
[edit]1. U.S. Patent No. 3,119,270
Title: “Adjustable Range Transducer”
Filed: September 6, 1960
Granted: January 28, 1964
Summary:
This patent describes an adjustable range transducer capable of converting mechanical motion into an electrical signal. The transducer's range can be adjusted to accommodate varying input conditions, making it versatile for applications requiring precision measurement or control in dynamic environments. View Patent
2. U.S. Patent No. 3,609,311
Title: Coincident Counting System
Filed: August 11, 1969
Granted: October 5, 1971
Summary:
This patent introduces a coincident counting system designed to process and count electrical pulses from multiple input channels simultaneously. The system determines pulse coincidences with precision, making it valuable for applications in data processing and signal analysis where synchronized input signals are required. View Patent
3. U.S. Patent No. 3,684,290
Title: “Electrically Operated Plural Reel Chance Device”
Filed: June 9, 1969
Granted: August 15, 1972
Summary:
This patent relates to an electrically operated gaming device featuring multiple reels. The invention improves the operation of chance devices, offering precise control of reel movements and outcome determination, modernizing slot machines. View Patent
4. U.S. Patent No. 3,727,214
Title: “Synchronized Stroboscopic Display System and Apparatus”
Filed: April 3, 1970
Granted: April 10, 1973
Summary:
This patent describes a synchronized stroboscopic display system designed to provide enhanced visual representation of motion. The invention uses strobe lighting synchronized with the movement of objects to create a clear and detailed display, allowing for precise analysis of motion and improved visualization in dynamic environments.
An offshoot of this invention resulted in a significant advancement in analog meter technology, addressing the inherent limitations of the d’Arsonval meter movement, which was originally developed in 1855. This new innovation eliminated the common issues of “hunt,” “lag,” and “hysteresis,” paving the way for more accurate and reliable analog measurement. View Patent
5. U.S. Patent No. 4,221,975
Title: “Touch Activated Controller and Method”
Filed: April 19, 1978
Granted: September 9, 1980
Summary:
This invention outlines a touch-activated controller capable of generating control signals based on finger movements along a control surface. The system detects both the presence and direction of motion, translating these into precise control signals. This innovation is particularly useful for applications such as electronic thumbwheel controls. View Patent
6. U.S. Patent No. 4,321,479
Title: “Touch Activated Controller and Method”
Filed: March 17, 1980
Granted: March 23, 1982
Summary:
This continuation patent expands upon the earlier touch-activated controller invention. It refines the design and operational methods, improving sensitivity to finger movement and enhancing its utility for electronic devices requiring precise input. View Patent
7. U.S. Patent No. 5,431,578
Title: “Compression Mating Electrical Connector”
Filed: March 1, 1994
Granted: July 11, 1995
Summary:
This patent introduces a compression mating electrical connector designed for durability and efficiency. The invention ensures low electrical resistance and reliable performance over numerous coupling and uncoupling cycles. It features a resilient conductive element that provides consistent pressure and contact integrity, making it suitable for both commercial and industrial applications. View Patent
8. U.S. Patent No. 6,402,539
Title: “Self-Contained Underwater Cable Branching Apparatus and Method”
Filed: October 23, 2000
Granted: June 11, 2002
Summary:
This patent describes a self-contained apparatus designed for branching underwater cables in deep-sea environments. The invention integrates protective housing and branching mechanisms to enable reliable cable splitting while maintaining integrity under high pressure. It ensures minimal signal loss and allows efficient deployment in challenging underwater conditions. View Patent
9. U.S. Patent No. 6,543,965
Title: “Underwater Cable Branching Apparatus and Method”
Filed: April 11, 2001
Granted: April 8, 2003
Summary:
An underwater cable branching apparatus features a junction housing with through bores for connecting two underwater cables. Pivotally mounted connectors within the housing can be retracted and rotated upward by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for branching to other cables in the network.
Media
[edit]Wayne appeared in the documentary Welcome to Macintosh in 2008, where he describes some of his early experiences with Jobs and Wozniak.[17]
In July 2011, Wayne published a memoir titled Adventures of an Apple Founder. His plan for initial exclusivity on the Apple Books store did not materialize.[18]
On October 1, 2011, Ronald Wayne published a socioeconomic treatise titled Insolence of Office. In this book, written 14 years prior, Wayne accurately predicted several of the most severe aspects of the current (2025) global inflationary crisis and highlighted the risks posed by fiat currencies around the world.
In February 2025, Wayne is set to release his latest work, Tomorrow’s Money, expanding on the groundwork laid inInsolence of Office, which delves into the ongoing explosion of inflation and the looming simultaneous collapse of the U.S. dollar and other fiat currencies worldwide. In this new book, Wayne examines the consequences of the global departure from the Gold Standard and outlines strategies for protecting wealth through investments in precious metals. He warns of an impending financial catastrophe that could surpass anything previously experienced in human history, offering insights on how to navigate the economic upheaval he predicts on the horizon.
References
[edit]External links
[edit]
- Official website
- Ron Wayne interview by OMT
- NPR report "Lost" Apple Founder Has No Regrets – June 13, 2010
- Ron Wayne, Apple Co-Founder, Shares Steve Jobs' "Richest Man in the Cemetery" Sentiment Almost Verbatim Archived December 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Village Voice, October 8, 2011
- Ronald G. Wayne interviewed on the TV show Triangulation on the TWiT.tv network
