The Humorous Hijinks of Apple’s Founders: A Vatican Prank
A Light-hearted Prank by Apple Founders
In an intriguing episode from the early days of Apple Inc., co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, accompanied by their friend John Draper, famously known as Captain Crunch, orchestrated a unique prank on the Vatican. Armed with a device known as a blue box, the trio engaged in a bold phone phreaking adventure.
The Blue Box Phenomenon
The blue box was a groundbreaking gadget of its time. It allowed its users to manipulate phone systems to make free long-distance calls by mimicking the tones used by telephone operators. This technique essentially allowed them to hack the phone network, which was quite revolutionary.
How the Prank Unfolded
Jobs, Wozniak, and Draper decided to take their pranking to the next level by calling the Vatican. They chose to impersonate then-U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, showing remarkable audacity.
A Call to the Pope
During one interview, Wozniak recounted his humorous line: "I said, ‘Well, I’m Henry Kissinger with Richard Nixon at the summit meeting in Moscow, and we’d like to speak to the Pope.'” He later lightheartedly mentioned, “I told the Pope ‘I’m just calling to make a confession.’” However, it seems that there was no conversation with the Pope, as Jobs clarified that their act didn’t lead to any direct communication.
The Aftermath of the Call
Reflecting on their escapade, Jobs expressed in a 1975 interview that they had truly stirred up a commotion. They managed to create such a disturbance that someone was sent to awaken the Pope. Ultimately, their ruse backfired, and the Vatican officials realized they were not actually speaking with Kissinger, which ended the conversation with laughter rather than a serious discussion.
Inspiration Behind the Blue Box
The duo's fascination with the blue box originated when Wozniak encountered an enlightening Esquire article, capturing the exploits of phone phreaks who were outsmarting major telephone companies. Inspired, Wozniak shared his newfound knowledge with Jobs, sparking an interest that led them both down a tech-centric path.
Building the Blue Box
Initially, Wozniak and Jobs attempted to construct their own blue boxes using analog tone generator kits, but they found the analog circuits too erratic. Soon after, Wozniak developed a digital blue box utilizing computer chips that allowed for more precise operations.
The Duo’s Continued Exploration
Their partnership expanded as they learned about various blue boxing techniques from Captain Crunch. Their collaboration led them to sell their own blue boxes, indirectly paving the way for innovative concepts that would culminate in the formation of Apple Computer.
The Significance of Their Venture
The venture into blue boxing, albeit illegal and short-lived, marked a crucial phase in the partnership of Wozniak and Jobs. They sold approximately 40 to 100 blue boxes at $170 each before the authorities caught wind of their activities, prompting them to close this chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the blue box?
The blue box was a device that allowed users to make free long-distance calls by manipulating telephone systems, essentially enabling them to hack the phone network.
Who were the co-founders of Apple Inc.?
The co-founders of Apple Inc. are Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, with John Draper also playing a significant role in their early pranks.
What prank did Jobs and Wozniak play on the Vatican?
They used the blue box to prank the Vatican by impersonating Henry Kissinger in an attempt to speak with the Pope.
Did they manage to speak to the Pope?
No, although they stirred up quite a commotion, they never managed to speak to the Pope during their prank.
How did Wozniak’s interest in phone phreaking begin?
Wozniak's interest began when he read an Esquire article detailing the exploits of phone phreaks who were outsmarting phone companies.
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