Microsoft Excel 1.0 (1985)

✅ Microsoft Excel 1.0 

🥇First Microsoft Excel Release 

Released on September 30, 1985, Microsoft Excel 1.0 was a pivotal moment in the software wars and a surprising milestone in Apple’s history. Originally developed under the code-name "Odyssey," Excel wasn't born on a Microsoft operating system; it was actually released exclusively for the Apple Macintosh. Microsoft chose the Mac because its point-and-click mouse and visual screen allowed for a user-friendly experience that old-school, text-only business rivals couldn't match. This version introduced now-standard features like pull-down menus and the ability to use different fonts within a grid, beautifully turning the dry world of data entry into something visually appealing. Because competitor Lotus 1-2-3 was incredibly slow to adapt to a visual interface, Excel gained a massive head start on the Mac, establishing the core grid system that still governs the entire financial world today.

Donated by: Fairfield, Connecticut Resident Donor