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Steve Jobs

From Alfawiki
Steve Jobs
Born
Steven Paul Jobs

(1955-02-24) 24 February 1955 (age 71)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Died5 October 2011(2011-10-05) (aged 56)
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, inventor, investor
Years active1970s–2011
Known forCo-founder of Apple Inc., founder of NeXT, chairman and majority shareholder of Pixar

Steven Paul Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) was an influential American entrepreneur, inventor, and investor renowned for co-founding Apple Inc.. In addition to Apple, Jobs established NeXT and held the positions of chairman and majority shareholder at Pixar. Alongside his early collaborator Steve Wozniak, he was instrumental in advancing the personal computer revolution during the 1970s and 1980s.

Born in San Francisco in 1955 and adopted soon after birth, Jobs enrolled at Reed College in 1972 but left within the same year. In 1974, he embarked on a journey to India in search of spiritual insight and later embraced Zen Buddhism. Together with Wozniak, he co-founded Apple in 1976 to market Wozniak's Apple I personal computer. Their success accelerated with the launch of the Apple II, one of the earliest mass-produced microcomputers that achieved widespread commercial success.

In 1979, Jobs identified the business potential of the Xerox Alto, which incorporated a graphical user interface (GUI) and mouse-driven navigation. This led to the creation of the largely unsuccessful Apple Lisa in 1983, followed by the revolutionary Macintosh in 1984—the first widely available computer featuring a GUI. The Macintosh played a pivotal role in establishing the desktop publishing sector through tools like the Apple LaserWriter, which was the first laser printer to support vector graphics and PostScript.

Following a corporate conflict with Apple's board and then-CEO John Sculley, Jobs departed Apple in 1985. He subsequently founded NeXT, targeting higher education and business sectors as its CEO. In 1986, he acquired Lucasfilm's computer graphics division, which evolved into Pixar. Pixar pioneered fully computer-animated feature films with Toy Story (1995) and grew into a dominant animation studio with numerous box office hits.

Jobs made his return to Apple as CEO in 1997 after Apple acquired NeXT. He was instrumental in rescuing Apple from financial distress by spearheading innovative products and services alongside designer Jony Ive. This era included the "Think different" campaign and the introduction of products such as the iMac, iTunes, Mac OS X, Apple Store, iPod, iTunes Store, iPhone, App Store, and iPad. Additionally, Jobs served on the board of directors for Gap Inc. from 1999 until 2002. After being diagnosed with a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in 2003, he passed away in 2011 due to complications related to the illness. In recognition of his enduring influence on technology innovation, Jobs was posthumously honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022 and holds over 450 patents.

Family

Steven Paul Jobs entered the world on February 24, 1955, in San Francisco, California, born to Joanne Carole Schieble and Abdulfattah "John" Jandali. Jandali hailed from an affluent Syrian Muslim family; he completed his undergraduate studies at the American University of Beirut before pursuing a PhD in political science at the University of Wisconsin. It was there that he met Joanne Schieble, an American Catholic with Swiss-German ancestry whose family owned real estate holdings and a mink farm located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Despite their relationship, Schieble’s father disapproved due to Jandali’s religious background. When Schieble became pregnant, she arranged for a closed adoption and traveled to San Francisco for childbirth.

Schieble requested that her child be placed with adoptive parents who were college graduates. Initially, a lawyer couple agreed but retracted their decision upon discovering that the infant was male. Consequently, Steve Jobs was adopted by Paul Reinhold Jobs and Clara Jobs. Paul, whose heritage was German and whose father worked as a dairy farmer in Wisconsin, had dropped out of high school and worked as a mechanic before serving in the US Coast Guard. After his discharge, he married Clara Hagopian—of Armenian descent—in 1946; they lived variously in Wisconsin and Indiana before settling back in San Francisco. Paul took up work as a repossession agent while Clara worked as a bookkeeper. Following Clara’s ectopic pregnancy in 1955, they sought to adopt a child. Although Schieble initially hesitated to sign adoption papers due to their lack of college education, she ultimately consented after Paul and Clara assured her they would finance Steve’s college education.

Infancy

During his early years, Jobs's parents brought him to a Lutheran church. Clara later confided to Steve's girlfriend that she had feared losing him in his infancy and at times regretted the adoption because of his challenging behavior as a toddler. Despite this, Steve was aware of her feelings and felt deeply cherished by both Paul and Clara. He regarded them as his genuine parents and rejected any mention of them as "adoptive." Jobs referred to his biological parents merely as his "sperm and egg bank," highlighting the practical aspect of his origins rather than emotional connections.

Childhood

Paul Jobs worked in various roles, including machinist positions, before returning to machinist work permanently. The family welcomed Steve's sister Patricia through adoption in 1957 and relocated to the Monta Loma area of Mountain View, California by 1959. To nurture Steve’s mechanical curiosity, Paul constructed a garage workbench, which Steve admired for its craftsmanship and hands-on utility.

In school, Jobs often found traditional education challenging, frequently resisting authority and exhibiting disruptive behavior that led to suspensions. His father attributed these issues not to discipline but to the schools’ failure to stimulate Steve’s intellect. After skipping the fifth grade, Jobs enrolled at Crittenden Middle School in Mountain View, where he experienced social difficulties and bullying. By seventh grade, he issued an ultimatum to his parents: either transfer him to another school or he would quit.

The Jobs family was modest financially; they invested all their savings into purchasing a three-bedroom house on Crist Drive in Los Altos in 1967, located within the Cupertino School District. This residence later gained historical significance as the original Apple Computer site. As of 2013, it was owned by Jobs’s sister Patty and occupied by his stepmother Marilyn. At age 13 in 1968, Jobs landed a summer job with Bill Hewlett of Hewlett-Packard after cold-calling him seeking electronic components for a project.

Homestead High

Jobs attended Homestead High School in Cupertino, known for its ties to Silicon Valley. He began there in late 1968 alongside Bill Fernandez, who introduced him to Steve Wozniak—Apple’s first employee. Neither came from families with engineering backgrounds, so both enrolled in John McCollum’s Electronics I course. Jobs, involved in countercultural activities, clashed with McCollum and eventually lost interest in the class.

By mid-1970, Jobs broadened his pursuits beyond technology to include literature and music, developing an appreciation for Shakespeare and excelling in an AP English class taught by a memorable instructor. During his final years at Homestead, he balanced interests in electronics and literature while maintaining close friendships with Wozniak and his first girlfriend, Chrisann Brennan.

In 1971, after Wozniak started attending the University of California, Berkeley, Jobs frequently visited him and studied at Stanford’s student union. Instead of joining the electronics club, Jobs contributed light shows for Homestead’s avant-garde jazz performances. A classmate described him as an outsider—intelligent but not fitting into conventional social groups. During his senior year, he took a freshman English course at Stanford and collaborated with Brennan on an underground film project.

Around this period, Wozniak created an inexpensive digital “blue box” device that manipulated telephone networks to make free long-distance calls—an idea sparked by an Esquire magazine article. Jobs helped sell these devices alongside Wozniak, marking their initial venture into commercial electronics. This experience boosted their confidence in challenging established corporations and eventually led to Apple’s founding.

By senior year, Jobs experimented with LSD and later recounted a transformative experience while wandering through a wheat field near Sunnyvale. After graduating in mid-1972 and prior to enrolling at Reed College, Jobs shared a house with Brennan and another roommate.

Reed College

In September 1972, Jobs began his studies at Reed College located in Portland, Oregon. Despite the steep tuition fees that strained his parents' finances, he was determined to apply exclusively to Reed. During his time there, he developed a friendship with Robert Friedland, who was serving as the student body president. Chrisann Brennan continued to maintain a relationship with Jobs throughout his attendance at Reed.

After completing just one semester, Jobs withdrew from the college without notifying his parents, expressing that he did not want to waste their money on an education he found unfulfilling. Nevertheless, he kept auditing classes, notably a calligraphy course taught by Robert Palladino. Reflecting on this era in his 2005 Stanford commencement address, Jobs described enduring financial difficulties—sleeping on floors, collecting bottles for food money, and accepting free meals at a nearby Hare Krishna temple. He credited that calligraphy class as a significant influence on the Mac’s groundbreaking typography and font aesthetics.

Pre-Apple

In February 1974, Jobs returned to his family home in Los Altos and started searching for employment. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by Atari, Inc. in Los Gatos, California as a computer technician. His friend Steve Wozniak had created an iteration of the video game Pong and handed its electronic board over to Jobs, who presented it to Atari; the company assumed he had engineered it himself and hired him accordingly. Nolan Bushnell, Atari’s cofounder, described Jobs as "challenging but invaluable," often the most intelligent person in the room.

Midway through 1974, Jobs journeyed to India with Reed classmate and future Apple associate Daniel Kottke, aiming to explore spiritual teachings at Neem Karoli Baba's ashram, which was nearly empty following the guru's passing. They also spent time at an ashram led by Haidakhan Babaji. After seven months abroad, Jobs returned to the United States before Kottke did, adopting traditional Indian attire and shaving his head. During this phase, he experimented with psychedelics and later regarded his LSD experiences among the most pivotal of his life. Additionally, he resided for some time at the All One Farm, a commune in Oregon owned by Robert Friedland.

Jobs and Chrisann Brennan embraced Zen Buddhism under the guidance of Zen master Kōbun Chino Otogawa, with Jobs participating in meditation retreats at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, recognized as the oldest Sōtō Zen monastery in America. He contemplated monastic life at Japan’s Eihei-ji temple and maintained a lifelong admiration for Zen philosophy, Japanese culinary traditions, and artists like Hasui Kawase.

Upon returning to Atari in early 1975, Bushnell assigned Jobs the task of designing a circuit board for the arcade game Breakout that utilized as few chips as possible. Jobs enlisted Wozniak’s help; Wozniak drafted designs during his daytime job at HP and refined them alongside Jobs during evenings. Within four days, Wozniak succeeded in reducing the number of transistor–transistor logic (TTL) chips from 100 down to 45, impressing Atari’s engineering team. The company offered $100 for each chip eliminated; Jobs agreed to share this payment with Wozniak. However, Jobs reportedly informed Wozniak they received only $750 instead of $5,000. Wozniak discovered the actual amount years later but stated he would have shared more if he had known.

In 1975, both Jobs and Wozniak attended meetings of the Homebrew Computer Club, an important step toward creating and marketing Apple’s initial computer. According to a U.S. Department of Defense record, that same year Jobs claimed he was arrested in Eugene, Oregon for being underage while allegedly possessing alcohol; however, police uncovered an outstanding warrant related to an unpaid speeding ticket instead. He paid a $50 fine after this incident.

Apple (1976–1985)

By March 1976, Wozniak had finalized the fundamental design of the Apple I computer and presented it to Jobs, who proposed marketing the device; although initially reluctant, Wozniak eventually consented. In April 1976, Jobs, Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne established Apple Computer Company (now Apple Inc.) in the home of Jobs's parents. The startup initially operated out of Jobs's bedroom before relocating to the garage. Wayne exited the company shortly after its founding, leaving Jobs and Wozniak as the main cofounders.

The company’s name, "Apple," was inspired by Jobs’s return from an Oregon commune where he had visited an apple orchard. Jobs intended to sell the Apple I as bare printed circuit boards priced at $50 each for hobbyists. To finance production, Wozniak sold his Hewlett-Packard calculator and Jobs parted with his Volkswagen van. Later that year, retailer Paul Terrell purchased 50 fully assembled Apple I units at $500 apiece. Ultimately, around 200 Apple I computers were manufactured.

Funding came from Mike Markkula, a semi-retired Intel engineer and marketing executive. Markkula also introduced Apple to venture capitalist Arthur Rock, who invested $60,000 and joined the board of directors. Jobs was displeased when Markkula appointed Mike Scott as Apple's inaugural CEO in 1977.

In April 1977, Jobs and Wozniak unveiled the Apple II at the West Coast Computer Faire. Primarily engineered by Wozniak with Jobs supervising the distinctive case design and Rod Holt developing its innovative power supply, the Apple II emerged as one of the earliest widely successful mass-produced microcomputers globally.

As Apple's prominence increased, Jobs’s personal relationships grew complicated. His partner Chrisann Brennan worked briefly in Apple's shipping department but departed after learning she was pregnant with Jobs's child in 1978. Although Jobs initially denied paternity, a DNA test later confirmed he was Lisa Brennan-Jobs's father. When Apple went public in 1980, Jobs’s net worth surged from over $1 million in 1978 to an estimated $250 million by 1981.

In 1983, Jobs persuaded John Sculley from Pepsi-Cola to become Apple's CEO with his famous challenge: "Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?" That same year, Jobs acquired and refurbished an apartment at The San Remo in Manhattan.

Jobs assumed control of the Macintosh project in 1981 from Jef Raskin. On January 24, 1984, he introduced the Macintosh during Apple's shareholders meeting following a widely publicized Super Bowl commercial titled "1984." Drawing inspiration from Xerox PARC's graphical user interface and mouse technology, the Macintosh received strong media praise and initial sales success but soon experienced a decline due to limited software availability and performance constraints.

Sculley advocated for open architecture products like the Apple II aimed at education and small business sectors less threatened by IBM competition. In contrast, Jobs emphasized focusing on the closed-architecture Macintosh as an alternative to IBM PCs. These two divisions operated almost independently within Apple. Despite generating 85% of sales in early 1985, the Apple II segment was sidelined; numerous employees departed, including Wozniak who believed Apple was moving in an unfavorable direction but retained his friendship with Jobs.

By early 1985, the Macintosh faced challenges competing against IBM PC dominance. Encouraged by Arthur Rock, Sculley restructured Apple to diminish Jobs’s authority by removing him from Macintosh leadership and assigning him to "New Product Development." In retaliation, Jobs plotted to remove Sculley but after his plan became public, he resigned on September 17, 1985 along with five senior staff members who joined his new company NeXT.

Following Jobs’s exit, Macintosh sales remained weak despite initial enthusiasm due to its high cost and limited software ecosystem. Microsoft threatened to halt Mac application development unless granted licensing rights for Mac OS software; Sculley consented, which later created difficulties for Apple as Microsoft developed Windows GUI for DOS. Meanwhile, more affordable IBM PC clones running Windows gained market share by offering improved interfaces and lower prices. By the late 1980s, Apple's proprietary graphical user interface advantage eroded as GUIs became standard across platforms.

NeXT computer

After departing from Apple in 1985, Jobs established NeXT Inc. with an initial investment of $7 million. Experiencing financial difficulties within a year, he obtained venture funding from billionaire Ross Perot. The NeXT computer was unveiled in 1988 at a prominent event in San Francisco, marking Jobs's return to the tech scene.

Introduced in 1990 with a price tag of $9,999, NeXT workstations were aimed primarily at the education sector but were considered expensive for widespread adoption. The system was renowned for its advanced technical features, such as an object-oriented operating system, and incorporated cutting-edge elements like the Mach microkernel, a digital signal processor chip, and integrated Ethernet connectivity. Significantly, Tim Berners-Lee utilized a NeXT machine at CERN in 1990 to develop the World Wide Web.

The second-generation NeXTcube arrived in 1990 and was marketed as the first "interpersonal" computer, featuring multimedia email through NeXTMail. Jobs highlighted its transformative potential for communication and collaborative work environments. His dedication to design excellence was reflected in the NeXTcube’s magnesium casing. Despite these innovations, hardware sales were modest—approximately 50,000 units sold—prompting NeXT to concentrate solely on software by 1993 with the release of NeXTSTEP for Intel processors.

NeXT achieved its inaugural annual profit of $1.03 million in 1994. In 1996, it launched WebObjects, a framework for developing web applications. Following Apple’s acquisition of NeXT in 1997, WebObjects became a foundational technology for Apple’s online platforms, including the Apple Store, MobileMe, and iTunes Store.

Pixar and Disney

In 1986, Jobs invested $10 million to spin off The Graphics Group (which later became Pixar) from Lucasfilm, splitting the amount equally between capital infusion and payment for technology rights.

Pixar’s initial film under its collaboration with Disney was Toy Story (1995), where Jobs served as executive producer; it garnered both commercial success and critical praise. Under the leadership of creative director John Lasseter, Pixar released numerous acclaimed titles such as A Bug's Life (1998), Toy Story 2 (1999), Monsters, Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), The Incredibles (2004), Cars (2006), Ratatouille (2007), WALL-E (2008), Up (2009), Toy Story 3 (2010), and Cars 2 (2011). The studio’s first release following Jobs’s passing was Brave (2012), which included a dedication to him. Multiple Pixar films have received the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, an accolade introduced in 2001.

As Pixar’s agreement with Disney approached expiration around 2003–2004, negotiations between Jobs and Disney CEO Michael Eisner failed to produce a renewal, leading Jobs to announce in January 2004 that he would not collaborate with Disney again.

With Bob Iger succeeding Eisner as Disney’s CEO in October 2005, relations between Disney and Jobs improved significantly. On January 24, 2006, Disney finalized an all-stock acquisition of Pixar valued at $7.4 billion. This transaction made Jobs Disney’s largest individual shareholder with roughly seven percent ownership and secured him a position on the company’s board. His shareholding notably surpassed that of Eisner and members of the Disney family. After Jobs’s death, his shares were transferred to the Steven P. Jobs Trust managed by Laurene Jobs.

Iger later remarked that despite prior cautions regarding Jobs’s reputedly challenging personality, he seldom caused issues on Disney’s board and speculated that had Jobs lived longer, a merger between Disney and Apple might have been contemplated. Pixar cofounder Floyd Norman characterized Jobs as mature and non-intrusive regarding creative decisions.

In 2014, Pixar cofounder and Walt Disney Animation Studios President Edwin Catmull recalled Jobs advising him during conflicts to "just explain it to them until they understand." In his book Creativity, Inc., Catmull described their relationship: although they frequently clashed and Jobs initially rejected many ideas, persistent dialogue sometimes led to agreement or mutual respect, with Jobs occasionally allowing Catmull to proceed according to his vision without further opposition.

Return to Apple

By 1996, Apple faced significant challenges and was in urgent need of a new operating system. After unsuccessful negotiations to acquire Be Inc., Apple purchased NeXT in December for $400 million, completing the acquisition by February 1997 and bringing Steve Jobs back into the company.<ref> Following the removal of CEO Gil Amelio in July 1997, Jobs assumed the role of de facto leader and was appointed interim CEO in September.<ref> To steer the company toward profitability, Jobs discontinued multiple initiatives such as Newton, Cyberdog, and OpenDoc in 1998. Additionally, he ended the Macintosh clone licensing program, streamlining Apple's hardware approach.

The technology from NeXT served as the foundation for Mac OS X, which played a crucial role in Apple's revival. The launch of the iMac along with other products significantly increased revenue. At the 2000 Macworld Expo, Jobs officially dropped the "interim" label from his CEO title and humorously referred to himself as "iCEO".<ref>

Apple broadened its product range into consumer electronics with the introduction of the iPod, iTunes software, and the iTunes Store. The debut of the iPhone in 2007 transformed mobile phones by integrating a multi-touch screen with an iPod and internet browser.<ref> Jobs prioritized innovation combined with flawless execution, famously declaring that "real artists ship".<ref>

Jobs maintained a well-known rivalry with Dell's CEO Michael Dell, who had once suggested that Apple should be closed down. When Apple's market value exceeded Dell's in 2006, Jobs proudly shared this achievement with his staff.<ref>

Renowned for his compelling presentations known as "Stevenotes," Jobs’s keynote addresses at Macworld and Apple developer events became central to Apple's public image.<ref>

His distinctive look—black Issey Miyake turtleneck, Levi’s 501 jeans, and New Balance sneakers—became an iconic part of his personal brand.<ref>

In 2001, Jobs was granted stock options that later became involved in backdating allegations. An internal review cleared him of any misconduct; he returned the options without exercising them in 2003.<ref>

Facing criticism regarding e-waste recycling practices, Apple introduced take-back initiatives for iPods and subsequently expanded these recycling programs to cover all US customers purchasing new Macs.<ref> These measures aligned with Apple’s environmental responsibility commitments.

Apple's groundbreaking products generated consistent financial growth, elevating it to become the world’s most valuable publicly traded company by 2011.<ref>

Jobs was regarded as a demanding perfectionist who positioned Apple at the cutting edge of innovation and design. During his 2007 Macworld keynote, he quoted hockey legend Wayne Gretzky: "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been," highlighting Apple’s visionary strategy.<ref>

On July 1, 2008, Apple executives faced a $7 billion class action lawsuit alleging securities fraud related to stock option practices.<ref> In a 2011 interview with Walter Isaacson, Jobs disclosed that he had met President Barack Obama to discuss the shortage of software engineers and proposed automatic green cards for foreign engineering graduates. He also expressed frustration with bureaucratic hurdles despite recognizing Obama’s intelligence.<ref>

Health issues

In October 2003, Steve Jobs received a cancer diagnosis, and by mid-2004 he informed Apple employees about a tumor located in his pancreas. Unlike the typical prognosis for pancreatic cancer, Jobs had an uncommon, less aggressive form known as an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor. He postponed the advised surgery for nine months, instead pursuing alternative therapies such as a vegan diet and acupuncture—approaches that some medical professionals deemed inadequate for his condition. According to biographer Walter Isaacson, Jobs later expressed regret over delaying the operation, which he eventually underwent in July 2004. The procedure performed was a Whipple surgery and was considered successful. Notably, Jobs did not undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatments. During his medical leave, Tim Cook took charge of Apple's daily operations.

By January 2006, only a small circle of close confidants were aware that the cancer had recurred. Speculation about Jobs’ health intensified following his gaunt appearance and subdued manner during the 2006 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), although some attendees reported he appeared well. Apple consistently asserted that his health remained strong. Similar concerns emerged after the 2008 WWDC keynote; Apple attributed his condition to a common illness, while others speculated it was related to prior surgical effects. Despite shareholder curiosity, Apple chose to keep his health details confidential. The New York Times reported that while Jobs faced serious health challenges, they were not considered immediately life-threatening.

In August 2008, Bloomberg mistakenly released a pre-written obituary for Jobs, fueling further rumors regarding his condition. At Apple's September 2008 keynote presentation, Jobs humorously dismissed death rumors and declined to answer additional questions about his health. In December 2008, Phil Schiller presented the Macworld keynote in place of Jobs, which sparked further speculation.

In January 2009, Jobs revealed he was suffering from a hormone imbalance and announced a six-month medical leave during which Tim Cook served as acting CEO; however, Jobs remained involved in strategic decision-making. That same year, Cook offered part of his liver to Jobs due to their rare compatible blood type, but Jobs declined the offer. In April 2009, Jobs underwent a liver transplant at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis with an excellent prognosis.

Resignation

On January 17, 2011, approximately eighteen months after returning to work following his liver transplant, Apple announced that Steve Jobs would take another medical leave to concentrate on his health. Tim Cook was named to oversee daily operations while Jobs stayed engaged with major strategic initiatives. Despite this leave, Jobs made appearances at significant events such as the iPad 2 launch and the WWDC keynote unveiling iCloud.

Jobs stepped down as Apple's CEO on August 24, 2011, citing an inability to continue fulfilling his responsibilities. He transitioned to the role of chairman of the board and appointed Tim Cook as his successor. Jobs maintained active involvement with Apple until one day before his passing six weeks later.

Death

Steve Jobs passed away at his home in Palo Alto on October 5, 2011, due to complications from a recurrence of his previously treated islet-cell pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, which led to respiratory arrest. He lost consciousness the day prior and died surrounded by his wife, children, and sisters. His sister Mona Simpson recalled his final words as "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow." A private funeral service was held on October 7, 2011; details were kept confidential out of respect for the family’s privacy.

Both Apple and Pixar issued formal statements announcing his death. Apple indicated there would be no public memorial but invited supporters to send messages via email. Flags at both Apple and Microsoft headquarters were flown at half-staff. Bob Iger ordered all Disney properties—including Walt Disney World and Disneyland—to lower flags from October 6 through October 12, 2011.

For two weeks following his death, Apple’s corporate website displayed a simple tribute page featuring Jobs's name, lifespan dates, and a grayscale portrait. On October 19, 2011, Apple employees gathered for a private memorial on the Cupertino campus attended by Laurene Powell Jobs (his widow), CEO Tim Cook, and prominent guests including Bill Campbell and Al Gore. Some Apple retail stores briefly closed so staff could participate.

California Governor Jerry Brown proclaimed October 16, 2011 as "Steve Jobs Day." An invitation-only memorial ceremony was held at Stanford University, attended by technology leaders, media figures, celebrities, politicians, and family members. Performances included Bono, Yo-Yo Ma, and Joan Baez. Attendees received a farewell gift from Jobs himself: a copy of Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda.

Several notable individuals publicly responded to Jobs’s passing including co-founder Steve Wozniak, former Pixar owner George Lucas, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and President Barack Obama. In accordance with Jobs’s wishes, he was interred in an unmarked grave at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto—the city’s only nonsectarian cemetery.

Innovations and designs

Jobs's design philosophy was deeply shaped by Zen Buddhism, a perspective he embraced during a seven-month spiritual expedition in India. His creative instincts were further nurtured by spiritual guides. Industrial design expertise was gained through collaboration with Richard Sapper. Apple co-founder Wozniak noted that Jobs "never wrote code," clarifying that he was neither an engineer nor an original inventor. Early Apple team member Daniel Kottke characterized Jobs as the marketing visionary, in contrast to Wozniak’s role as the technical innovator.

Jobs is recognized as the lead or co-inventor on 346 U.S. patents covering a broad spectrum of technologies, including computing devices, portable electronics, user interfaces (notably touch-based), audio systems, keyboards, power adapters, and packaging design. A significant portion of these patents emphasize the "look and feel" aspect, with 200 patents co-held alongside Jonathan Ive, Apple's head of industrial design. These primarily consist of design patents for products such as the original iMac, lamp-style iMacs, and the PowerBook G4 Titanium. Additionally, Jobs was granted 43 utility patents in the U.S., including one for the Mac OS X Dock interface issued just one day before his passing. While his early involvement in engineering Apple hardware was limited, as CEO he took an active role in product design, working intimately with development teams.

Throughout his tenure, Jobs collaborated closely with longtime marketing executive Joanna Hoffman, one of the few individuals capable of challenging him while maintaining a constructive working relationship. Even during his final illness, Jobs remained creatively engaged, drafting concepts for medical devices used in hospitals—most notably redesigning an oxygen monitor to enhance its simplicity and user-friendliness.

Apple I

The Apple I, entirely engineered by Wozniak, served as the cornerstone for Apple Computer's establishment in 1976, propelled by Jobs' ambition to commercialize the machine. They manually assembled several prototypes and financed production by selling personal belongings, ultimately manufacturing 200 units. A notable innovation was its built-in video display terminal circuitry that allowed connection to inexpensive composite video monitors or televisions instead of costly dedicated terminals.

Apple II

The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer and among the earliest widely produced microcomputers, primarily designed by Wozniak. Jobs oversaw the creation of its distinctive casing, while Rod Holt developed a specialized power supply system. Debuting at the West Coast Computer Faire in 1977, it marked Apple’s first product targeting consumers and officially launched on June 10 of that year.

Lisa

Developed beginning in 1978 and marketed in the early 1980s for business users, the Lisa was the first personal computer to feature a graphical user interface. Despite selling approximately 100,000 units and being deemed a commercial disappointment, it received praise for pioneering advanced functionalities later adopted by both Macintosh and IBM PC-compatible systems. After being removed from the Lisa project in 1982, Jobs spearheaded Macintosh development, drawing heavily on Lisa’s innovations. The Lisa 2/10 model was eventually reworked and sold under the name Macintosh XL.

Macintosh

After becoming part of the Macintosh development team, Jobs assumed leadership of the project when Wozniak was temporarily unable to continue due to an airplane incident. The Macintosh debuted on January 24, 1984, marking the first personal computer designed for mass-market appeal featuring a built-in graphical user interface and mouse. This original device was later identified as the Macintosh 128k. Starting in 1998, Apple gradually transitioned from using "Macintosh" to simply "Mac," though the product line had commonly been referred to as "Mac" since its launch. The introduction was bolstered by a $1.5 million television advertisement directed by Ridley Scott, titled "1984," which aired during Super Bowl XVIII. Regarded as a pivotal moment in advertising and a marketing triumph, the commercial portrayed the Mac as a groundbreaking alternative to IBM's computing dominance. Marketing strategist Regis McKenna remarked that the ad achieved greater success than the Macintosh itself. The commercial showcased a female protagonist symbolizing the Mac's innovative spirit, drawing inspiration from George Orwell’s dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Although technologically advanced, the Macintosh’s steep price point hindered its ability to compete with established rivals such as the Commodore 64 in consumer segments and the IBM Personal Computer along with its clones in corporate environments. Nevertheless, Macintosh computers found a foothold in educational institutions and desktop publishing markets, sustaining Apple's status as the second-largest PC manufacturer throughout the following ten years.

NeXT Computer

Following his departure from Apple in 1985, Jobs established NeXT, a company focused on workstation computers. The NeXT Computer was unveiled in 1988 during a highly publicized event. This platform served as the environment where Tim Berners-Lee created the inaugural web browser, known as WorldWideWeb. Its operating system, called NeXTSTEP, later formed the foundation for Darwin, which supports Apple's current operating systems such as macOS and iOS.

iMac

With Jobs’s return to Apple, the company launched the iMac G3 in 1998, featuring a design that was both innovative and emblematic of his influence. Promoted with the tagline "the back of our computer looks better than the front of anyone else's," its translucent Bondi Blue plastic enclosure was distinctive and nontraditional. The following year saw the release of a Graphite gray model, and since then, Apple has expanded the iMac lineup by varying its form factor, color palette, and dimensions while preserving its all-in-one concept. Elements like an integrated carrying handle and a "breathing" sleep indicator light were introduced to foster user engagement. Priced at $1,299, this model eliminated floppy disk drives entirely and adopted USB ports exclusively for peripheral connections, accelerating widespread USB adoption among accessory manufacturers who often matched their designs to complement the iMac’s transparent aesthetic.

iTunes

Developed by Apple, iTunes functions as a media player, digital media library, online radio broadcaster, and mobile device management tool. It allows users to play, download, and organize digital audio and video content on both macOS and Windows platforms. The iTunes Store is also accessible via devices such as iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad.

Through the iTunes Store platform, users have access to purchase and download various digital media including music tracks, music videos, television episodes, audiobooks, podcasts, movies (including rentals available in select regions), and ringtones compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch models from the fourth generation onward. Additionally, application software for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch can be obtained through the App Store.

iPod

The initial iPod model was introduced on October 23, 2001, notable for its compact design that utilized a 1.8-inch hard drive instead of the more common 2.5-inch drives at the time. It provided storage options ranging from 5 GB to 10 GB. Retailing at $399, it achieved sales exceeding 100,000 units by the end of that year. The iPod's popularity solidified Apple's position within the music sector and laid the foundation for both the iTunes Store and the iPhone.

Later versions expanded the lineup to include the touchscreen-enabled iPod Touch, the smaller iPod Mini and Nano, as well as the screenless iPod Shuffle.

iPhone

Apple commenced development on the original iPhone in 2005, officially releasing it on June 29, 2007. The launch generated considerable consumer excitement, with awareness reaching six out of ten Americans. Time honored it as "Invention of the Year" in 2007 and later featured it in the All-TIME 100 Gadgets list under Communication in 2010. The first iPhone integrated multimedia functions with a quad-band touchscreen smartphone design. The iPhone 3G, arriving in July 2008, introduced GPS capabilities, 3G data connectivity, and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA support. The iPhone 3GS, released in June 2009, brought enhancements such as voice control, an upgraded camera, and a faster processor. The iPhone 4 showcased a slimmer profile, a five-megapixel camera capable of recording 720p HD video, and added a front-facing camera for video calls. In October 2011, the iPhone 4s debuted Siri, a voice-activated virtual assistant.

iPad

The iPad is a tablet series running on iOS, developed and marketed by Apple. The first edition was launched on April 3, 2010, featuring a multi-touch display alongside a virtual keyboard interface. Select models include built-in Wi-Fi and cellular network connectivity. By April 2015, Apple had sold more than 250 million units, cementing its status as a dominant product in the tablet market.

Marriage

In 1989, during a lecture at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she was enrolled as a student, Jobs encountered his future spouse, Laurene Powell. He later recalled being drawn to her presence seated in the front row. Following the talk, he invited her to dine together, beginning a lifelong partnership.

Jobs proposed marriage on New Year's Day in 1990; they wed on March 18, 1991, in a Buddhist ceremony held at the Ahwahnee Hotel within Yosemite National Park. Approximately fifty guests attended, including Jobs's father and sister; the ceremony was conducted by his spiritual mentor, Kobun Chino Otogawa. Their vegan wedding cake was crafted to resemble Yosemite's iconic Half Dome, concluding with a hike followed by a snowball fight involving Laurene’s brothers.

Their firstborn son, Reed, arrived in 1991. Jobs’s father Paul died in 1993; his childhood residence remains a tourist site managed by his stepmother Marilyn Jobs. The couple later had two daughters: Erin (born 1995) and Eve Jobs (born 1998), who has pursued modeling professionally. The family made their home in Palo Alto, California. Despite his billionaire status, Jobs expressed that he intended for most of his wealth not to be passed down to his children.

Family

Chrisann Brennan has shared that following Jobs's removal from Apple, he expressed numerous apologies for his earlier conduct toward her and their daughter Lisa, admitting he had failed to assume responsibility when necessary. By the time Lisa reached nine years old, Jobs had legally changed her name to "Lisa Brennan-Jobs". Brennan attributes the enhancement in their co-parenting dynamic to the involvement of Jobs's newly discovered biological sister, Mona Simpson, who played a key role in reconciling Lisa and Jobs. Jobs found Mona after locating his birth mother, Joanne Schieble Simpson, shortly after his departure from Apple.

During his adoptive mother Clara's lifetime, Jobs refrained from contacting his birth family, telling biographer Walter Isaacson that he did not want to overshadow the importance of his adoptive parents. However, when Clara was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1986, Jobs devoted significant time to her and gained deeper insight into his adoption. This prompted him to seek out his biological mother. He came across a letter from the doctor involved in the adoption confirming that Schieble was his unmarried graduate student mother.

Following Clara's passing and with consent from his adoptive father, Jobs reached out to Schieble, requesting media privacy out of respect for Paul. He explained that he wanted to check on her well-being and express gratitude for giving him life despite challenging circumstances. Schieble conveyed remorse over relinquishing him and repeatedly apologized. Their relationship grew amicable, and they began spending holidays together.

Schieble disclosed that Jobs had a sister, Mona, who was previously unaware of his existence. They met in New York, where Mona was employed, and quickly developed a strong bond. Jobs referred to Mona as "my family" and treasured their close connection, which contrasted with his more distant relationship with his adopted sister Patty.

Jobs discovered that six months after his adoption, Schieble married Abdulfattah Jandali and gave birth to Mona. The couple divorced in 1962; Jandali later worked in Syria and lost contact with Mona for intervals before reconnecting. Schieble remarried George Simpson, whose last name Mona took. After divorcing her second husband in 1970, Schieble raised Mona on her own in Los Angeles.

When Simpson located their father living in Sacramento, Jobs declined to meet him due to concerns about Jandali’s treatment of family members and an incident involving abandoned students during a trip. Simpson met Jandali alone; he disclosed that he once managed a Mediterranean restaurant frequented by prominent tech figures including Jobs, whom he described as kind and generous. At Jobs's request, Simpson kept their familial connection confidential.

Jobs recalled a brief encounter with Jandali at the restaurant but avoided further interaction due to mistrust and worries about potential blackmail or media exposure. Jandali later discovered their relationship through a blog but never reached out directly to Jobs. Simpson anticipated that Jobs might eventually meet their father; however, he showed no interest or involvement with his Syrian heritage or Middle Eastern background. Simpson fictionalized this search in her novel The Lost Father. Their cousin is Malek Jandali.

Philanthropy

Steve Jobs maintained a largely private and enigmatic stance regarding his philanthropic activities. Although public discourse often highlights the social obligations of affluent leaders, neither Jobs nor Apple featured prominently in major charitable rankings. While there has been speculation about possible anonymous contributions, very few details were ever publicly disclosed.

Mark Vermilion, who coordinated philanthropic initiatives for Joan Baez, Apple, and Jobs himself, explained that Jobs’s limited direct donations were influenced by his perfectionist nature and demanding schedule. Advocates contend that Jobs’s groundbreaking corporate achievements served as his main cultural legacy rather than conventional philanthropy. In 1985, he dismissed monetary wealth as "hardly the most insightful or valuable thing" in his life.

Following his departure from Apple, Jobs founded the Steven P. Jobs Foundation, which concentrated on nutrition and vegetarianism; however, it was short-lived due to his focus shifting to NeXT. When he returned to Apple in 1997, he discontinued all philanthropic programs as part of company restructuring. By 2007, Apple was recognized among "America's least philanthropic companies," which later led to the introduction of an employee donation-matching initiative. Jobs chose not to participate in The Giving Pledge, a campaign started by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.

Among notable contributions were a $50 million gift to Stanford Hospital and support for AIDS research efforts. Bono acknowledged that Apple, under Jobs’s leadership, donated "tens of millions" toward combating HIV/AIDS in Africa, encouraging other corporations to contribute similarly.

Honors and awards

See also


Bibliography

External links

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