One would normally associate Apple with tech products like the iPhone 15 or software like iOS 17. However, among the multitude of unique and amazing products the company has produced over the years, there is one that surely no one would expect: an earthquake survival kit.
Printed in 1986, the kit is reminiscent of a time when Apple’s California headquarters was located in one of the most earthquake-prone areas on the planet. Known as the Earthquake Survival Kit, the curious product includes a guide called “How do you plan to survive?” It may not be the most cheerful question Apple has ever asked, but it is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing.
A guide according to which one’s survival “depends on you”.
Today we can read the contents of this kit thanks to the Computer History Museum. It consists of three high-resolution PDF scans that include documentation on the earthquake survival program initiated by Apple in 1986. Also in the Kit was a special report from Sunset magazine entitled “Preparing for a Big Earthquake” from 1982, and the third edition of “Earthquake Safety and Survival” published by the American Red Cross in 1986.
The kit opens with a grim warning: Simply living in California means that “you will probably experience a major earthquake in your lifetime“. He then reminds us that “preparing for such a disaster today could save your life, the lives of your family and those around you”. The intro ends with the ominous “It depends on you”.
From there, the kit becomes a compendium of recommendations on what to do in case of an emergency. It is divided into three sections, the before, during and after. Within each section, which occupies two pages, the information is divided into recommendations if the earthquake occurs while the person is at home and recommendations if they are inside the Apple offices. These offices, in view of the seismic activity in the area, already had desks specially designed to withstand a large amount of weight on top of them at the time. The same book reminds us that “do not be ashamed to take shelter under any of them”.
- Indoors, stand under a desk or table, or in a doorway. Do not run downstairs or outside.
- Outdoors, get to an open area and stay away from power lines, buildings and other things that could do harm.
- If driving, stop your car away from buildings, overpasses, bridges, trees and power lines. Stay in your car, especially if power lines have fallen on it.
- Don’t be alarmed if the electricity fails.
Although this documentation must now be in a different format, it is clear that something similar must be in place for the current Apple offices, Apple Park and the other buildings where the Cupertino company has its employees and equipment. California is, as the book clearly indicates, a major seismic zone and being prepared and having clear instructions is a top priority to survive the event.
Who would have thought that Apple’s rarest product would be an earthquake survival manual. It is clear that in order to be innovative in technologies and to be able to present the Apple Vision Pro, the safety of the equipment that makes all this technology possible must not be neglected. As Apple has commented on more than one occasion, at the center of everything they do are people. This curious survival guide is one of the clearest proof of that.
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