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Mobile & Consumer Devices

iPod (first generation)

A pocket music player with a 5 gigabyte hard drive that Apple unveiled on October 23, 2001 and put on sale that November.

Apple unveiled the iPod on October 23, 2001, and released it on November 10, 2001. Steve Jobs said it put "1,000 songs in your pocket." Tony Fadell, recruited by Jon Rubinstein, led the project.

The player held 5 gigabytes on a hard drive from Toshiba. A mechanical scroll wheel moved through the song list. A FireWire cable moved songs from a computer and charged the battery.

Why it matters

The iPod began as a Mac accessory. Its easy controls and large capacity helped make digital music normal, and its success paved the way for the iPhone.

Key facts

  • Unveiled October 23, 2001, and released November 10, 2001.
  • 5 gigabyte hard drive from Toshiba.
  • Mechanical scroll wheel for navigation.
  • FireWire for transfer and charging.
  • Project led by Tony Fadell.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "iPod", en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod, accessed October 14, 2026.
  2. Mimms Museum of Technology and Art, "Exhibits", mimmsmuseum.org/exhibits/, accessed October 14, 2026.