Apple founder Ron Wayne: Sold Apple stocks for $800, does not regret leaving

When it comes to the founder of Apple Inc. in the United States, most people know Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. According to a report by the UK's Daily Mail on the 10th day, in fact, there was another forgotten founder of Apple – Ron Wayne. Wayne designed the first trademark for Apple, wrote the operating guide for the "Apple 1" computer, and later left the company due to disagreements. The shares he sold for $800 at that time are now worth approximately $35 billion, but Wayne does not regret his decision.

Now 79 years old, Wayne lives in a mobile home in Palomino, Nevada. Almost no one knows that this kind-hearted old man is one of the founders of Apple.

On April 1, 1976, the 42-year-old Wayne co-founded Apple with the 21-year-old Jobs and the 25-year-old Wozniak. As the eldest member of the team, Wayne drafted the partnership agreement for the three men, designed the first logo for Apple, and wrote the operating manual for the "Apple 1" computer.

Half a month later, Wayne decided to leave due to differences of opinion with Jobs, selling his 10% stake in the company for $800. If he had kept these shares until today, they would be worth about $35 billion.

Wayne said that he knew developing personal computers would be successful, but he did not expect the achievement to be what it is today. However, "my decision allowed me to continue developing my own interests, frankly speaking, I don't regret leaving at all."

In the eyes of the public, Jobs was a pioneer in modern technology products, easy-going, and endowed with a sense of cold humor. But in Wayne's view, the young Jobs had a bad temper and was argumentative.

"Jobs was very emotional, easily excited, and had a fiery temper," Wayne said. "He took his work very seriously and always hoped to see immediate results. He was sharp-minded, but stubborn."

Jobs is regarded as an outstanding public speaker, but in fact, he had social difficulties, was emotionally distant, and skilled at manipulating others. Wayne also mentioned that during the early days of entrepreneurship, Jobs often looked disheveled, disliked bathing, and refused to use deodorant; he didn't want to go to the tailor to have clothes made, so his collars were always too loose; he also didn't pay attention to his health, "Once he returned from India, looking extremely haggard and quite sick."

After leaving Apple, Wayne first opened a stamp shop in California, which was robbed multiple times, forcing him to close it down. He then entered the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the U.S., spending two years completing a model of a fusion nuclear reactor. "If they hadn't required academic credentials, I might still be working there," Wayne said. In 1982, Wayne joined Raytheon Electronic Systems, where he worked until retirement.

After retiring in 1999, Wayne bought a villa in Florida with a swimming pool, game room, workshop, and a garage with three parking spaces, planning to spend his golden years there. Unfortunately, misfortune struck again. A thief broke into his home, stealing all his life savings. Moreover, these assets were uninsured, forcing Wayne to sell his house to support himself in old age.