Apple Card origin story, 15 years later
The gist
Apple's letterpress Cards app, built in Steve Jobs' final year, ended in September 2013.
The story resurfaces 15 years later as a case study in messy logistics.
How it unfolded
- 2006Mike was hired at a printing company that already had a relationship with Apple, handling printing for iPhoto and Apple's in-box production of documentation.
- 2010Apple added a card product to the iPhoto print lineup codenamed Downieville, wanting fine letterpress printing on very toothy cotton stock.
- Early 2011Apple began building an iPhone app dedicated to card creation and mailing, with new card designs and production and delivery required in the United States and Europe.