The first version of Illustrator was a groundbreaking program, but it was not without its limitations. It was only available for the Macintosh computer and had a relatively simple interface. Despite these limitations, the software quickly gained popularity among graphic designers, who were eager to explore the creative possibilities of vector graphics.

As the popularity of Illustrator grew, other software companies began to develop competing products. One of the most notable competitors was Macromedia's FreeHand, which offered similar vector graphics capabilities. In response, Adobe continued to innovate and improve Illustrator, releasing version 9.0 in 2000, which introduced a new "pen" tool and improved shape manipulation capabilities.

The first version of Adobe Illustrator, version 1.0, was released in 1987. This version was a groundbreaking program that allowed users to create and edit vector graphics using a variety of tools and techniques. The program was initially met with skepticism by some in the design community, who were used to working with traditional drawing tools and were hesitant to adopt a new, digital approach.

Released in January 1987 for the Apple Macintosh, Adobe Illustrator 1.0 was revolutionary but primitive by today’s standards.