Bill Gates, the tech magnate behind Microsoft, once found himself amid peers at Harvard University whose mathematical prowess eclipsed his own. As a student, Gates faced the realization that there were others who might surpass him in math. This epiphany, however, did not deter him from pursuing his passion for software. Instead, it spurred him on to leave Harvard early and found Microsoft in 1975, which would later transform into a technology behemoth.
Gates' tenure at Harvard was marked by an intense workload. He overloaded his schedule with extra classes while dedicating countless hours to writing software code in the university's computer lab. His former applied mathematics professor, Harry Lewis, recalls this period vividly. Despite Gates' decision to drop out after only three semesters, Lewis believed that Gates could have pursued a career as a professional mathematician had he chosen to.
"The first day [of class] I showed them the pancake problem [a mathematical sorting question involving different-sized pancakes] and two days later he came back to show me he could do it better." – Lewis
This anecdote highlights Gates' natural curiosity and maturity, traits that set him apart even among his talented peers. His knack for questioning adults and tackling complex problems foreshadowed his future success in the software industry.
The founding of Microsoft marked a turning point in Gates' life. By the age of 31, he had become a billionaire, largely due to the success of Microsoft, which now boasts a market value nearing $3.2 trillion. Forbes estimates Gates' current net worth to be around $108.7 billion.
"They never could have actually done the case analysis were it not for the computer industry that Bill Gates built in the intervening 30 years." – Lewis
An example of Gates' early contributions to academia is his solution to a problem published in an academic paper in 1979. Though the problem remained unsolved for three decades, researchers later enhanced his method in a 2008 study. His influence extended beyond technology into academic circles as well.
Investing in Microsoft's initial public offering in 1986 would have yielded significant returns; a $100 investment then would be worth approximately $650,000 today. Gates' upcoming memoir, "Source Code," set for release next month, will delve into his life before Microsoft, offering insights into his formative years and experiences at Harvard.