October 30, 2002: iPod Availability Increases

When the iPod debuted in October of 2001, few imagined what a hit the diminutive player would become, propelling Apple's profits and stock price into the stratosphere.

There were several key moments along the way that moved the iPod from trendy Mac add on to must have mainstream music player. Windows compatibility, sufficient supplies and the iTunes usic store all made key contribution.

One overlooked, yet just as important, contribution was the iPod's expanding presence in brick and mortar stores, after seeing the iPod was even better than hearing about it in the early days. Apple's campaign to get the iPod into the hands of the masses was helped immensely when the company announced that every Target store would be carrying the iPod on October 30, 2002.