On 24 February 1955, Steve Jobs, one of the most influential figures in the history of technology, was born in San Francisco, California. As the co-founder of Apple Inc., Jobs revolutionised personal computing, digital entertainment, mobile technology, and the way we interact with devices. His legacy continues to shape the world, long after his passing on 5 October 2011.
Early life and the birth of Apple
Steve Jobs was adopted at birth by Paul and Clara Jobs, who raised him in Silicon Valley, California. He displayed an early interest in electronics and engineering, which led him to attend Reed College—though he dropped out after just one semester. He continued to attend calligraphy classes, an experience that would later influence Apple’s focus on typography and design.
In 1976, Jobs co-founded Apple Computer with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in the garage of his parents’ home. Their first product, the Apple I, was a breakthrough, but it was the Apple II in 1977 that made Apple a leader in the emerging personal computer industry. The Apple II was one of the first highly successful mass-produced computers, setting the foundation for Apple’s future success.
Revolutionising computing: The Macintosh and beyond
One of Jobs’ greatest contributions was his vision of a graphical user interface (GUI), which he observed during a visit to Xerox PARC. This inspired him to develop the Macintosh, released in 1984, which introduced the now-standard mouse-driven interface and user-friendly design. The famous 1984 Super Bowl commercial, directed by Ridley Scott, positioned the Mac as a symbol of freedom against corporate conformity, setting a new standard for advertising in the tech industry.
Despite the Macintosh’s innovation, internal conflicts at Apple led to Jobs being forced out in 1985. This could have been the end of his career, but instead, Jobs went on to create NeXT Inc., a company focused on high-end computing for businesses and education. Though NeXT computers were not a commercial success, their software laid the groundwork for macOS and iOS, which Apple would later use.
Transforming Pixar and the entertainment industry
During his time away from Apple, Jobs acquired Pixar Animation Studios from George Lucas in 1986 for just $10 million. Under his leadership, Pixar became a pioneer in computer-generated animation, producing Toy Story (1995), the world’s first fully CGI animated film. Pixar’s success led to films like Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, WALL-E, and Up, all of which reshaped the animation industry.
In 2006, Jobs sold Pixar to Disney for $7.4 billion, becoming Disney’s largest individual shareholder. This move solidified his influence not just in technology, but also in entertainment.
The second coming: Jobs returns to Apple
Apple struggled in the early 1990s, and by 1997, the company was on the brink of collapse. In a dramatic turn of events, Apple acquired NeXT, bringing Jobs back into the company. Soon after, he became CEO and led a historic turnaround that transformed Apple into the most valuable company in the world.
Jobs introduced the iMac (1998), a stylish and user-friendly computer that revitalised Apple’s image. However, his biggest successes were yet to come.
The era of innovation: iPod, iPhone, and iPad
- iPod (2001): Apple redefined the music industry with the iPod, a sleek MP3 player that could store 1,000 songs in your pocket. This device, combined with iTunes, revolutionised how people bought and listened to music.
- iPhone (2007): Perhaps Jobs’ greatest achievement, the iPhone changed the way we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. Combining a phone, iPod, and internet device in one, it pioneered the modern smartphone era.
- App Store (2008): Apple introduced the App Store, creating an entirely new industry and ecosystem for mobile apps. It allowed developers to innovate, leading to apps that transformed industries, from social media to gaming and health tracking.
- iPad (2010): With the launch of the iPad, Jobs once again redefined an entire market, popularising tablets and changing the way people consume media, work, and interact with digital content.
Design, innovation, and legacy
Jobs was known for his obsession with perfection and user experience. He believed that technology should be simple, intuitive, and beautifully designed. His approach combined art and technology, making Apple products stand out not just for their power, but also for their aesthetics.
His famous “One more thing” announcements became legendary, and his presentation skills were unmatched in the tech world. His leadership transformed Apple into a brand synonymous with innovation, quality, and elegance.
Final years and lasting influence
In 2004, Jobs was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. Despite undergoing treatment, he continued to lead Apple until August 2011, when he stepped down as CEO, passing the torch to Tim Cook. On 5 October 2011, the world lost one of its greatest visionaries.
Even after his death, Jobs’ impact remains. Apple continues to lead the tech industry, and his design philosophy influences not just smartphones and computers, but also industries like automotive (Tesla), wearables (Apple Watch), and artificial intelligence.
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