Who Invented the iPod? Apple? Think again!

Do you think the iPod was invented by Apple? Of course not that would be too easy right? Well we had the same question so we did some reasearch about the invention and here is what we came up with.

The iPod originated with a business idea dreamed up by Tony Fadell, an independent inventor. The original idea was to take a MP3 player, build in an iTunes like compontent, and build a company around that model. Word got out and Apple hired Fadell in early 2001 and assigned him a team of about 30 people, which included a solid marketing and research team.

Thus the Invention: iPod in 2001

Function: noun / trademark / Internet Pod (Apple)
Definition: A portable device for downloading audio/video from the internet iTunes Web site Manufactured by Apple Computer, inc.
Patent: 7,054,981 (US) issued May 30, 2006
Inventor: Tony Fadell

Criteria: First to invent. First practical.
Birth: 1969

Nationality: American

In truth, there isn't just one person that can be credited as the actual "inventor" of the iPod. It took many individuals and groups to end up with the finished product.

Other with some credit:

At the top of the list is of course Steve Jobs. Jobs was looking for ways to push his Macintosh computers, since he has always lacked market share compared to PC computers.

Jon Rubenstein did a lot of the research to see if such a device would work in the marketplace, obviously there was.

Jonathan Ive has credits for being the lead designer. Where his team came up with the final concept.

So, who invented the iPod? After all is said and done just think Apple.