Serendipity Stories bring the practice of serendipity to life in real-world examples.
When he headed to the first meeting of the Homebrew Computer Club in March of 1975, Steve Wozniak (“Woz”) never planned to start a computer revolution. He was simply following his curiosity, responding to a friend's suggestion that he might enjoy a gathering about video terminals. Woz had built his own terminal with a keyboard that connected to his TV, allowing him to dial up and access the early ARPAnet (an early version of the internet). He thought he might impress the other attendees with his creation.
When he arrived at the meeting, Woz discovered the conversation wasn't focused on terminals at all but rather on a new microprocessor-based computer called the Altair 8800. Woz listened intently, absorbing every word and idea that flowed through the room. As the evening progressed, someone passed around a data sheet for the 8008 processor. This seemingly ordinary piece of paper became the catalyst for what Wozniak would later describe as his defining moment.
He took the sheet home and studied it. Microprocessors had evolved dramatically since he last examined them. The technical specifications revealed a complete processor—similar to designs he had sketched over and over in high school.
That night, as Wozniak contemplated what he had learned, something magical happened. "The full image of the Apple I popped in my head," he would later recall.
In a flash of connection, he realized he could merge this microprocessor with his existing terminal that already had a keyboard and TV output. The result would be a truly useful personal computer that wouldn't require expensive additional equipment.
Wozniak had been wanting his own computer since college, but it had seemed financially out of reach. Now, the path appeared before him—he could build one "for basically no money." More importantly, he envisioned a machine that would start up running a small program, letting users type commands directly without the confusing array of switches and lights that adorned other computers of the era. "I wanted a computer as normal and human to use as a typewriter or calculator," he explained. A completely new idea.
This moment of connection between his previous work, his longstanding desire, and the new technology he'd just encountered sparked not just a personal project but an entirely new era for computers.
When he built his design and brought it back to Homebrew, Wozniak freely shared the details with anyone interested, distributing his hardware and software designs without copyright restrictions. He hoped that others would build their own $300 computers. Steve Jobs wasn't even in the picture yet—he was out of state and completely unaware of Wozniak's creation until he returned to town and Woz took him to a club meeting. From there, the Apple I home computer was born and the rest is history.
Woz's journey captures true serendipity in action: seeking community at Homebrew, unexpectedly encountering the microprocessor that sparked his interest, connecting it to his existing knowledge about terminals, and activating the idea that became the Apple I, changing computing forever.
If you’re interested in learning more about serendipity and how you can bring it into your life. Learn more at practicingserendipitist.com.