Before Microsoft: The Mischievous Young Hacker Named Bill Gates

Before becoming the tech titan behind Microsoft, few people know that Bill Gates had an early start as a programming prodigy—and even dabbled in hacking. One fascinating story from his school days reveals just how deeply his curiosity and love for code ran.

While still a student, Gates developed and sold a class scheduling software to his school for 4,200 euros—a hefty sum at the time. But what makes the story even more entertaining is how he later used the very same system (or one he and his friend Paul Allen had helped create) to manipulate his own schedule. His clever tweak? He arranged it so that he ended up in a class filled entirely with girls.

The reason was delightfully teenage: he simply wanted to be around more female classmates. It was a cheeky yet ingenious move, showcasing not just technical brilliance but a playful, human side to the future billionaire.

In a later interview, Gates revealed that Paul Allen couldn’t take advantage of their little scheme—he had already graduated and moved on to college that year, leaving Gates alone in high school. Yet despite the “all-girls” class, the shy and reserved Gates never actually dated any of them. His bashful nature kept him on the sidelines when it came to romance.

This charming anecdote from Bill Gates’ youth paints a picture of a bright, creative mind with a sense of humor—a glimpse into the young hacker who would one day change the world of technology forever.