Apple has used a startup chime on Macintosh computers since the early Mac era, when the sound was designed to confirm that the machine had passed its startup tests and was ready to use. Over time the warm chord became a familiar part of the Apple experience, appearing in classrooms, offices and homes as Macs became more common. It later spread online through nostalgia videos, tech reviews and memes, where creators reuse it to signal an Apple product, a successful boot or a fresh beginning. Its clean, recognisable tone keeps it useful long after newer computers made startup sounds optional.