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Today it is one of the largest companies in the world Microsoft Corporation MSFT:helped by the growth of computers, technology and the Internet.

Recently in 1995 interview in which the co-founder of Microsoft Bill Gates David Letterman explains that the Internet has gone viral.

What happened: Gates has a long history with computers, having co-founded a program with the Microsoft co-founder that monitored traffic patterns in Seattle. Paul Allen at the age of 15.

In high school, Gates was also tasked with using computer skills to schedule classes. On an episode of “The Late Show with David Letterman” that aired on November 27, 1995, Gates told Letterman that he took advantage of the opportunity to make sure that at a school with an enrollment of 80% boys and 20% girls , his the classes were all girls.

During the interview, Gates also explained Microsoft’s vision and what the Internet can do.

“There was a small group of people who saw what this chip could do as it got more powerful. This thing will reach the whole world,” Gates said at the time. “We are not at that full realization even today.”

Asked by Letterman if he knew anything about “this Internet thing,” the billionaire businessman replied, what’s going on, you can email people. It’s a big new thing.”

During the interview, Gates also told Letterman that Microsoft is working on making the computer a tool, and that the company could eventually see the computer think for itself.

Gates’ appearance on the late-night talk show then coincided with his book The Road Ahead and Microsoft’s release of Windows 95.

While some were skeptical of the Internet at the time, Gates’ comments on its possibilities and future foretold the company’s astronomical growth in the years to come.

Related link: This day in market history. Microsoft represents the Windows operating system

$1000 investment in Microsoft. Letterman’s interview with Gates was broadcast late on November 27, 1995.

Microsoft shares opened the next morning at $3.57 a share. A $1,000 investment would have bought 280.11 MSFT shares at the time.

That same $1,000 investment would be worth $80,044.23 today, representing a return of 7,904.4%.

While late-night talk shows don’t always pay off, viewers could be pleasantly rewarded if they listened to Gates in this case.

Microsoft continues to be one of the leaders in the computer and Internet space.

Read next. Microsoft Q2 earnings highlights:

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