Every detail of Apple’s operating systems, no matter how minuscule it may seem, usually has a story behind it. So it is with the design of the icons, where each element can be the representation of a feeling, a memory or, in this case, a personal achievement. If we have ever wondered about the design of the stock icon on our iPhone, we will be surprised to discover the story behind something so everyday.
A story of overcoming the odds summed up in a single blue dot
For many, the stock market icon is simply a graphic representation of the comings and goings of a stock on any given day, with no more meaning than a certain aesthetic appeal. But for Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, the icon represents much more than that. It is a reminder of triumph and resilience in the face of the adversity and criticism that Apple faced in its early days as a company.
If we go back to 1997, Apple was not at its best. The company was struggling to stay afloat in a market dominated by very strong competitors. It was in that context that Michael Dell, founder of Dell, made a statement he would probably never forget: he suggested that the best thing for Apple would be to sell itself and “return the money to the shareholders“. These were not encouraging words for Steve Jobs, and certainly not from a direct competitor.
But Jobs is not someone who gave up easily. Step by step, with a few bumps in the road, he reversed the downward trajectory of the Cupertino company and this was reflected in its stock price. Progressively, Apple’s value as a company increased and in January 2006 the value of Apple’s shares surpassed that of Dell. Something that probably went unnoticed by the stock market world, but for Steve Jobs, it was not only a financial victory, but also a personal one. It was confirmation that he was leading the company in the right direction.
And it is here, at this point in history, that the stock market icon on the iPhone comes into play. That icon showing a rising stock, with a blue line marking a specific point on the crest of a wave, represents precisely that historic moment when Apple triumphed over Dell in stock market terms. Coincidence? According to iMore, not at all.
Steve Jobs, with all his meticulous attention to detail, as well as his well-known competitive personality, requested that the icon be designed in this way. A reminder of his success, spirit of achievement and also a reminder to other companies not to make the mistake of underestimating other players in the rapidly changing technological environment.
What would have happened if Apple had not managed to overcome that difficult stage in its history? Perhaps we would not have the iPhone 15 on the verge of coming out on stage at Apple Park or products such as the AirTag 2 in development. As Tim Cook has already commented on more than one occasion, at Apple decisions are made with an eye on the long term, so the volatile stock market capitalization is not something that keeps the Cupertino people awake at night.
That said, small details, such as the Stock Exchange icon, remind us that in the history of companies and their founders, it is not only the big actions that count, but also the small decisions and the symbolism they carry with them. So the next time we touch the screen of our iPhone and find the Stock Exchange icon, let’s remember that behind that small design hides a story of overcoming and resilience. A silent tribute to a time when Apple, under the leadership of Steve Jobs, proved that it could rise up in the face of adversity and succeed.
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