15 big projects that started in a small garage

The absolute majority of us dream of doing something outstanding in our lives. Write a book, set a sports record, make a scientific discovery or create a great company. We have a lot of ideas, but there are always insurmountable obstacles on the way: lack of money, lack of premises, lack of time and dozens of other reasons in different combinations. However, they do not stop everyone. Today we want to remind you about several world-famous projects that were born in their free time in kitchens, sheds and garages.

1. Apple

Apple is currently one of the most powerful technology companies in the world, and it began in the garage of Steve Jobs ' parents. In 1976, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak (21 and 26 years old, respectively) settled in this garage and manually assembled 50 computers in 30 days for a local retailer, selling them for $500 apiece. Since then, everything has been spinning.

2. The Beatles

Prior to the formation of The Beatles, John Lennon was a member of a band called The Quarrymen along with several school friends. When the parents of one band member could no longer stand their noise, the future superstars were forced to move rehearsals to an old bomb shelter in the backyard.

3. Amazon

In 1994, when Jeff Bezos founded Amazon as an online bookstore, it was located entirely in his garage. In July 1995, the company sold its first book, which was packaged in the same garage.

4. Harley-Davidson

In 1901, William S. Harley plans to install an engine on his bicycle. Within a few years, Harley and his friend Arthur Davidson created a new engine and built their first motorcycles in a small wooden shed. This is how the legendary Harley-Davidson began.

5. Yan­kee Candle

Today it is one of the most famous manufacturers of holiday candles in the world. The story started from the day when on Christmas Day, 1969, 17-year-old Mike Kitredge melted some wax pencils in the garage to make a gift to his parents. The product turned out to be so successful that the first orders began almost immediately.

6. Microsoft

In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded the future Microsoft Corporation in a garage. It was here that they licensed their first operating system to IBM for $80,000. Later, they came up with Windows, which still dominates the personal computer market.

7. Maglite

In 1955, Anthony Maglika rented a garage and bought his first machine for $125. On this basis, a small workshop was created, which a few years later began to produce the famous lanterns. Now Maglite is a globally popular brand, and their products are even included in the standard equipment of police officers in America.

8. Mattel

In 1945, the newlyweds Ruth and Elliot Handler decided to start their own business. In their garage, they made picture frames, and used the scraps to create houses and furniture for dolls. There was only one step left before the production of toys, which they made in 1959, presenting the doll to the world Barbie.

9. Linksys

Linksys was founded in 1988 by immigrants from Taiwan — a married couple Jenny and Victor Cao. Like many companies of that time, Linksys started in a garage converted into a workshop. Interestingly, in parallel, Victor continued to work at his former place — in the Taco Bell diner until 1991. Today, Linksys is a well-known brand of network products for the home and small offices.

10. Disney

In 1923, Walt and Roy Disney moved in with their uncle Robert. In his garage, the brothers created The First Disney Studio, which became the prototype of today's largest film studio in the world.

11. Google

In the summer of 1998, two Stanford students — Larry Page and Sergey Brin-began working on Google as an implementation of their educational project. The creation of the future search giant took place in the garage of Susan Vodziski, and all three employees of Google Inc.could easily fit there.

12. Hewlett-Packard

In 1939, HP, one of the world's largest technology companies, was formed in a garage with an investment of $538. It was in this garage that Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard made audio oscillators, which were later sold to Walt Disney, one of the first customers of the future giant.

13. Lotus Cars

In 1984, Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman began building his first racing cars in his parents ' garage. Today, Lotus is one of the leading British manufacturers of sports and racing cars.

14. Nike

Nike (from 1964 to 1978 — Blue Ribbon Sport) was founded by a student runner and his coach. Their business idea was simple and uncomplicated: after investing $500 each, they bought 300 pairs of sneakers from Asian manufacturers and resold them under their own brand. At the same time, at the initial stage, the company could not even afford to rent a garage, and the trade was carried out from the trunk of the car.

15. Patag­o­nia Clothing

In 1953, at the age of 14, Yvon Choulnard became interested in mountaineering. At the age of 18, he bought the necessary equipment, which he installed in his parents ' garage. The company began to produce and sell special hooks for $1.50 each. By 2012, Patagonia Clothing had a turnover of$500 million, becoming one of the most famous names in the field of outdoor clothing production.

It is unlikely that any of the creators of these companies could have imagined what their garage initiatives would turn into. They simply felt great enthusiasm, were not afraid to take the first step and sought to create something new. It doesn't matter where and how your business starts, what matters is what it brings to people as a result.