Remarkable original Microsoft employee identification badge/keycard, circa 1994, measuring 2˝ x 3.25˝, featuring a standard ID badge portrait of the company's co-founder within a blue "Employee" box, with his name, "Bill Gates," and the Microsoft logo below. The reverse is imprinted: "Return Postage Guaranteed, P.O. Box 97017, Redmond, WA 98073-9717." This unique proximity badge, or key card, was created as Microsoft upgraded security at their corporate headquarters in Redmond, Washington, to support cutting-edge 'badge-in/out' access; the card carries an RFID chip inside of it to support that functionality.
The consignor notes that he printed this card while employed to provide security services on the Microsoft campus. This was the first of two badges printed for Gates: the second badge was programmed for access and given to the Microsoft co-founder and CEO, while this one, rather than being discarded, was retained. Accompanied by a letter of provenance prepared by the consignor, explaining that he printed out a second copy of the badge in an attempt to improve it for the CEO's use. This was the standard practice for this project, as other sub-par and often unusable prints were discarded along the way as each card was individually printed and reviewed. Given the limitations of printer technology at that time, the second badge had a similar number of slight imperfections as did the first, but was deemed acceptable for delivery to Mr. Gates. As such, his badge was programmed for appropriate access, whereas the original badge was left unprogrammed and taken out of circulation. This first, unusable badge was retained and preserved as an interesting keepsake from the consignor's final hometown job before he moved out-of-state, never to ultimately return. Regarding condition, there is some slight discoloration in spots due to the passage of 30 years, which can generally be observed in the included photos. The surface of the badge remains essentially smooth, with most recognizable 'imperfections' having been printed into the card (as with all other employee badges produced in this particular generation). Finally, the consignor notes that he would be very surprised if there were any other Microsoft Employee ID Badge/Cardkeys from that particular era in the same or better condition than this item.
