The Beatles and Apple
The Beatles, undoubtedly the most iconic band ever, and Apple, the leading provider of technology, both have distinctive names that just happen to be the same. Is there an interesting story behind how Apple got its name from the Beatles?
The Beatles first formed their own business company in 1968. They called it Apple Corps. They believed that with this company, they could control their music and protect their own interests. The company had many activities, including the production of records, TV shows, films and electronics.
In 1976, Apple Computer Inc. was established by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Although Steve Jobs denied any connection between the two companies, some suspect a secret connection between the two companies. Some suggest that Apple was named in part after the Beatles, while others suggest it was a mere coincidence.
Many music historians believe that Beatles consciously played a role in the choice of name for the computer company. For example, Paul McCartney noted that Jobs was all too aware of the rights the Beatles had to the name Apple, and that when he asked Jobs why he chose Apple for his computer company, Jobs did not give him direct answer.
Some tech experts suggest that the name was more than a passing reference to the group; that it was an homage to the band by Jobs, who was an avid fan. Jobs’ admiration for the group in fact may have helped him to select the name. He grew up listening to the music of the Beatles and was quite familiar with their forward-thinking ideas for the time.
Jobs also said that he was on a Diet-Coke and apple-juice fast at the time, and took the apple for its health implications. Although this explanation makes practical sense, it has been disputed by analysts, journalists and biographers, as story of how the computer giant got its name, as it reflects a side of Jobs’ personality he never publicly alluded to.
The historian Martin Connor believes that the name was indeed a nod to the psychedelic imagery of the beatles. He believes that Jobs wanted to emphasize the playful, youthful spirit of his gadget. Moreover, Connor holds that Jobs also wanted the name to be a symbol of the promise of a technological revolution – something that the Beatles had already started.
John Lennon and Apple
John Lennon was always a strong proponent of self-expression through his music and performances. After the break-up of the Beatles he found a new form of expression in Apple Corps, a multimedia company which he found along with Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Apple Corps was established in 1968 as a means of allowing the band complete control of their music and other creative works. Apple Corps was a vehicle for the Beatles to improve their music and expand their fanbase, as well as for revolutionizing the music industry through the use of gadgets and technologies.
As the focus of Apple Corps was broadening, the company was also launching new ventures, most notably was the release of their iconic Record or Apple Records, which helped change the stance of the mainstream record labels (EMI, Abkco, Elektra, and Capitol) as it provided the Beatles with the complete artistic control on how the songs were released at that time.
Nevertheless, Apple Records brought a new era of innovation to the music industry. The label included not only the Beatles, but also other groups and solo artists like Badfinger, James Taylor, and Mary Hopkin, among others.
John Lennon’s involvement in Apple Corps was also a testament of his strong commitment to the same revolutionary ideas embodied through his music. Apple Corps provided him with an effective platform to express his concepts while still enjoying the success of his former band.
Although the idea behind Apple Corps has since been somewhat forgotten, it is worth recognizing that John Lennon and the Beatles’ commitment to the label demonstrated a dedication to the creative expression of its members.
Apple Related Lawsuits
Lawsuits followed soon after Apple Computer was founded in April 1976. In 1978, Apple Corps sued Apple Computer for trademark infringement and false designation of origin. Also Apple Computer launched the iconic Apple logo, with the a bite taken out of the side, and that did not bode well with Apple Corps.
Apple Corps alleged that Apple Computer was selling computers under the Apple label as well as attempting to enter the music industry, which gave the company an unfair advantage, while also confusing those who were not aware of the origin of the two companies. This lawsuit became known as the ‘Apple Litigation’ and Apple Corps won the suit, with Apple Computer being told to stay away from the music industry.
In 1991, Apple Computer and Apple Corps agreed to settle the lawsuit. Apple Computer would pay $26.5 million dollars to Apple Corps and both companies agreed to no longer compete in the music industry. The agreement also stated that the Apple logo could be used for everything but music-related items, and Apple Corps still had the rights to the name Apple for all music related activities.
Yet in 2003, Apple Computer launched the iTunes Music Store and Apple Corps sued the company again. After years of litigation, the two companies later reached an agreement in 2007, and Apple Computer paid Apple Corps $500 million dollars in damages, thus ending the ‘Apple Litigation’, and forming a unique part of Apple’s legacy.
The Beatles’ Apple Logo
The Beatles’ logo was designed in 1968 by Alan Aldridge, a well-known London book designer and illustrator. He was approached by the group’s manager, Allen Klein, in late 1967 to create a logo that would express the idea of music, creativity, and a certain sense of teenage rebellion all in one. Aldridge took inspiration from the Beatlemania phenomenon and created a logo of an apple with the bite taken out.
The logo was designed to invoke the spirit of the times. The apple, Aldridge said, was a symbol of temptation, taken from the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The bite was taken out of one side to emphasize the idea of innocence with a hint of rebellion. The logo also had a rainbow-colored swirl, which was meant to suggest the psychedelic revolution that the Beatles had launched in the 1960s.
The logo was ultimately registered as a trademark in 1968, and it became globally associated with the band and their works. Moreover, the iconic design was used to brand their music label Apple Records, as well as the multimedia conglomerate Apple Corps.
In spite of the similarities between the two companies, it is unclear whether the logo had any direct influence on Apple Computer’s name choice. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that the logo was – and still is – associated with the revolutionary spirit of the band and its members, and it is precisely this quality that Steve Jobs may have wanted to embody with his company, as well.
Apple’s Success
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak introduced the first Apple computer model in 1976 and went on to lead what some have described as a technology revolution. Within three years, Apple had grown exponentially and was worth over a million dollars.
Since then the company has revolutionized the tech industry with the iPod, iPad, and iPhone. It has become an international juggernaut and in 2020, Apple’s market value crossed two trillion US dollars, making it the most valuable company in the world. Apple also owns the most popular music streaming service in the world, the Apple Music.
The success of Apple is often attributed to the innovative and pioneering ideas of Steve Jobs. His decision to develop a user-friendly interface and depend on exclusive retailers helped Apple maintain the highest market share. Jobs’ design philosophy was based on the ‘simplicity is key’ mantra, which further propelled the company’s success.
Moreover, the company’s advertising and product placement strategies also favored in its success. From choosing young celebrities like Taylor Swift as brand ambassadors to using cutting-edge technology in its product launches, Apple’s marketing and promotion campaigns are among the best in the world.
Apple has also made it a priority to use conscious marketing techniques to reach out to its target market segments. As a result, the company has been able to maintain a loyal consumer base, regardless of its fluctuations in pricing policies and product launches.
