Daily Dooley

Question: What product was originally code-named “Purple” during development at Apple?

Answer: iPhone

The development of the original iPhone was shrouded in intense secrecy at Apple. Internally, it was referred to as Project Purple, and the team worked in a building at Apple's Cupertino headquarters nicknamed the "Purple Dorm" because many engineers were practically living there to meet deadlines. The room was covered in security badges, fake labels, and misleading information to hide its true purpose — even from other Apple employees.

Interestingly, some developers jokingly referred to their lab as "Purple 2," and this naming convention stuck through various iterations of the hardware. The secrecy and intensity of the "Purple" project culture became legendary at Apple, reflecting Steve Jobs' obsession with confidentiality and surprise product launches.

This codename is now a well-known piece of lore among Apple enthusiasts and a symbol of one of the most ambitious product launches in tech history.

Why "Dooley?"

Inspired by the founder's alma mater - Emory University's spirit mascot, Dooley represents the voice of the student body. And when Dooley shows up to your class, you can count on a fun time and the rest of the day off!