Lifestyle

A Brief History of Bill Gates [INFOGRAPHIC]

by . October 30th, 2014

 — and Semi-random Thoughts

Bill Gates needs no introduction, and is probably a hero and role-model for many of the people reading this. William Henry “Bill” Gates III recently celebrated his 59th birthday, and his colorful life so far was brilliantly illustrated below by infographic design genius extraordinaire Anna Vital.

Despite all the accolades and success he’s enjoyed, the one-time richest man in the world and current world’s biggest philanthropist is no super hero. While born into moderate wealth, he still faced significant hurdles to become the man he is today.

What do you think will be your entrepreneurial story? Comment below!

How-Bill-Gates-Started-Infographic
 

Source

Semi-random Thoughts

  • Bill Gates’s efforts at malaria eradication have the potential to save millions of lives- if they haven’t yet already.
  • The Mosquito laser, which was made possible by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is one of the coolest things ever.
  • Did he really have to work 16 hour days for 5 years? Would he have done better if he was better rested or worked more? Could you or would you do the same?
  • He’s readily admitted that his work was derivative of that done by others. Something other famous tech giants were loathe to ever mention.
  • While often used as an example of a “successful dropout”, the fact is Harvard was getting in the way of his business. You’re probably better off actually finishing school, in most cases.
  • Microsoft was his second start up. These days only one out of 10 startups last beyond their 5th year.
  • I wonder whatever happened to those girls he scheduled himself with in school.
  • There really was nothing wrong with XP, as far as I’m concerned.
  • Chip’s Challenge on Windows 95 changed my preadolescent life.
  • Kevin Savetz, an early Microsoft exec recounted in an interviewthat after he showed Gates a game and defeated him 35 of 37 times, they met again a month later and Gates “won or tied every game. He had studied the game until he solved it. That is a competitor.”
  • Anyone as successful as Bill will always have detractors, regardless of one’s intent or the presence of any real malice.
  • Anyone as successful as Bill will always have admirers, regardless of one’s intent or the too-obvious-to-deny presence of real malice.
  • It helps to be born into money, but life is always what you make of it.
  • Money alone is never going to complete you.

What do you think will be your entrepreneurial story? Comment below!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Arthur Piccio manages YouTheEntrepreneur and has managed content for major players in the online printing industry. He was previously BizSugar's contributor of the week. His work has appeared multiple times on The New York Times' You're the Boss Small Business Blog. He enjoys guitar maintenance and reading up on history and psychology in his spare time.