15 years of iPhone frenzy

June 29, 2022

The first iPhone went on sale 15 years ago today, and I remember going to Apple's retail store in San Francisco for the launch.

Jony Ive was there with a few of his colleagues from Apple's Industrial Design team. They parked themselves on the second-floor balcony to watch as customers streamed in, hooting and hollering to buy the first iPhone.

Similar scenes played out at stores in New York and other major cities. Some folks had slept for days on the sidewalk to get their hands on the first iPhone. The lines in New York were especially crazy, with all kinds of overexcited fans, publicity seekers and general NYC crazies in attendance.

My wife dressed our kids as iPhones to drum up publicity for one of my books, and my son Lyle showed up in newspapers and magazines worldwide, thanks to a syndicated photo. Alas, they spelled his name wrong, and my chances for reflected glory were dashed. Maybe next time.

-- Leander Kahney, EIC.

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One more thing ...

"iPhone is a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone," -- Steve Jobs

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