Cook's Statement Paying Tribute to Apple's 50th Anniversary: Thanking Millions of People Who Made Apple's Success (Full Text)

On March 12th Beijing time, Apple announced on its official website that it will celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. Apple CEO Tim Cook released an open letter, reflecting on the company’s development and core values, paying tribute to everyone who has shaped Apple over the past 50 years.

Cook stated, “At Apple, we focus more on creating the future than dwelling on the past. But at this milestone, we must thank the millions of people who have contributed to Apple’s success.”

Cook also said that those who are crazy enough to believe they can change the world are the ones who truly do.

Full text of Tim Cook’s open letter (translated):

Fifty years ago, in a small garage, a great idea was born. From the very beginning, Apple has upheld a simple principle: technology should be human-centered. At the time, this idea was revolutionary and changed everything.

On April 1st, Apple will celebrate its 50th anniversary. From the first Apple computer to the Mac, from iPod to iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods, and to the various services we use daily—App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV—over the past fifty years, we have continually redefined what’s possible, putting powerful tools into everyone’s hands. Every breakthrough has been guided by a single belief: the world moves forward because of those who dare to think differently.

Progress always begins with such people—inventors, scientists, students, creators—those who conceive better ways, new ideas, and different paths. This spirit has guided Apple from the start, but it belongs to all of us.

Every invention we create is just the beginning of a story. The most meaningful chapters are written by all of you—by you, as you work, learn, dream, and explore with our technology. You make breakthroughs, build careers; you bring comfort to loved ones in illness, capture the moments of first steps; you run marathons, write books, rekindle friendships; you follow your curiosity, discover your favorite songs, and share stories that connect us.

In your hands, the tools we build improve lives and sometimes even save lives. That is our true inspiration—not what technology can do by itself, but what you can accomplish with it.

At Apple, we focus more on creating the future than dwelling on the past. But at this milestone, we must thank the millions of people who have contributed to Apple’s success: our outstanding global team, developers, and every user along the way. Your creativity inspires us; your trust drives us to improve; your stories remind us that with unconventional thinking, anything is possible.

This journey has taught us: those who are crazy enough to believe they can change the world are the ones who truly do.

Cheers to the crazy ones.

The independent thinkers.

The rebels.

The rule-breakers.

The misfits.

The visionaries.

The ones who see the world differently.

Cheers to you.

Tim Cook