Image credit: “Steve Jobs” by acaben is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Steve Jobs (1955-2011) was a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Apple Inc., known for revolutionizing the technology industry with products like the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.
Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Steven Paul Jobs |
| Birth | February 24, 1955, San Francisco, California |
| Death | October 5, 2011 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman, Inventor, Investor |
| Known For | Co-founding Apple Inc., founding NeXT, chairman and majority shareholder of Pixar |
| Education | Attended Reed College (withdrew in 1972) |
| Business Ventures |
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| Key Contributions |
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| Awards | Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022 |
| Patents | Over 450 patents in total, including 141 posthumous patents |
Early Life
Steven Paul Jobs, commonly known as Steve Jobs, was born on February 24, 1955, in San Francisco, California. He was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs, who raised him in the city of Mountain View in California’s Silicon Valley. From a young age, Jobs displayed a keen interest in electronics and gadgetry, often working on electronics with his father in their garage. This early exposure to electronics and innovative thinking played a crucial role in shaping his future endeavors. As he grew older, Jobs moved to Los Altos, California, where he attended Homestead High School and later met Steve Wozniak, with whom he would eventually co-found Apple Inc. Jobs’ early life experiences and the environment in Silicon Valley significantly influenced his path towards becoming a technology pioneer and visionary.
Family
| Name | Relation | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Jobs | Father | Paul Jobs was Steve’s adoptive father. He was a machinist and carpenter who instilled in Steve a love for mechanics and craftsmanship. |
| Clara Jobs | Mother | Clara Jobs was Steve’s adoptive mother. She was an accountant and played a significant role in nurturing Steve’s education and personal development. |
| Joanne Schieble | Biological Mother | Joanne Schieble was Steve’s biological mother. She was a graduate student when Steve was born and later became a speech therapist. |
| Abdulfattah Jandali | Biological Father | Abdulfattah Jandali was Steve’s biological father. He was a Syrian immigrant and political science professor. |
| Patricia Jobs | Sister | Patricia Jobs is Steve’s adoptive sister. Little is publicly known about her personal life, as she has maintained a low profile. |
| Mona Simpson | Biological Sister | Mona Simpson is Steve’s biological sister. She is a successful novelist and English professor. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 160 lbs (73 kg) |
| Chest Size | Unknown |
| Waist Size | Unknown |
| Biceps Size | Unknown |
| Shoe Size | Unknown |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Steve Jobs was married to Laurene Powell Jobs. They got married on March 18, 1991. Laurene Powell Jobs is an American businesswoman, executive, and the founder of Emerson Collective, an organization that advocates for policies concerning education and immigration reform, social justice, and environmental conservation. Laurene met Steve Jobs in 1989 when she was a new MBA student at Stanford University. They had three children together: Reed, Erin, and Eve.
Steve Jobs had several notable relationships before marrying Laurene Powell Jobs. Here is a table summarizing his previous relationships:
| Name | Relationship Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Chrisann Brennan | Girlfriend | Chrisann Brennan was Steve Jobs’ high school girlfriend, and they had an on-and-off relationship. She is the mother of Steve Jobs’ first child, Lisa Brennan-Jobs, born in 1978. |
| Joan Baez | Girlfriend | Joan Baez, a famous folk singer, had a brief relationship with Steve Jobs in the early 1980s. They remained friends after their romantic relationship ended. |
| Tina Redse | Girlfriend | Tina Redse was Steve Jobs’ girlfriend in the mid-1980s. They had a tumultuous relationship, and Tina is often cited as the inspiration for the character Chrisann in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs. |
Career, Achievements And Controversies
How He Became Famous
Steve Jobs became famous as the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc. His pioneering work in personal computing and consumer electronics, particularly with products like the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, and iPad, garnered him widespread recognition and acclaim. Jobs was known for his visionary approach, innovative design sense, and influential leadership in the tech industry.
Career Start And Popular Works
Steve Jobs’ career began in earnest when he co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in 1976. The company started in Jobs’ garage, where they built the first Apple I computer. Here are some key milestones in his career:
- Apple I (1976): The first product of Apple, a single-board computer.
- Apple II (1977): One of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputers.
- Macintosh (1984): The first personal computer to popularize the graphical user interface.
- NeXT (1985-1996): After being ousted from Apple, Jobs founded NeXT, a computer platform development company.
- Pixar (1986-2006): Jobs purchased The Graphics Group (later renamed Pixar) from Lucasfilm. Pixar became a major animation studio, producing hits like “Toy Story” and “Finding Nemo.”
- Return to Apple (1997): Apple acquired NeXT, bringing Jobs back. He revitalized the company with products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
Awards And Recognitions
- National Medal of Technology (1985): Awarded to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak by President Ronald Reagan.
- Jefferson Award for Public Service (1987): Awarded for Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under.
- Grammy Trustees Award (2012): Posthumously awarded for contributions to the music industry through technology.
- Time 100 (multiple years): Frequently named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine.
Controversies
Steve Jobs’ career was not without controversy. Some notable controversies include:
- Management Style: Jobs was known for his demanding and often abrasive management style. He was described as both a visionary leader and a difficult boss who could be harsh and uncompromising.
- Stock Options Backdating (2006): Apple was involved in a stock options backdating scandal, and while Jobs was not charged, his role in the scandal was scrutinized.
- Health Issues: Jobs’ decision to delay conventional medical treatment for his pancreatic cancer in favor of alternative medicine was controversial and widely discussed. <liLabor Practices: Apple faced criticism for the labor practices of its suppliers, particularly in China. Concerns were raised about working conditions in factories producing Apple products.
- Reality Distortion Field: Jobs was known for his ability to convince himself and others to believe almost anything, a trait often referred to as his “reality distortion field.” While this helped drive innovation, it also led to unrealistic expectations and pressures within the company.
Despite the controversies, Steve Jobs’ impact on the tech industry and modern consumer electronics is undeniable. His legacy continues to influence technology and design to this day.
FAQ
Steve Jobs was an American entrepreneur, inventor, and co-founder of Apple Inc. He was a key figure in the personal computing revolution and also played a significant role in the development of other influential technology companies and products.
Steve Jobs was born on February 24, 1955, in San Francisco, California, USA.
Steve Jobs’ most notable achievements include co-founding Apple Inc., introducing the Apple Macintosh computer, pioneering the iPhone, iPad, and iPod, and transforming the music, smartphone, and digital publishing industries through iTunes and the App Store.
Steve Jobs purchased the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm in 1986, which became Pixar Animation Studios. He served as the CEO and played a pivotal role in its success, producing popular animated films like “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo,” and “The Incredibles.” Pixar was eventually acquired by Disney in 2006.
Steve Jobs passed away on October 5, 2011, at the age of 56, due to complications from a rare form of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.
Steve Jobs’ legacy includes his innovative contributions to technology and design, his role in transforming multiple industries, and his influence on how people interact with technology. He is remembered as a visionary leader who changed the world through his creativity and relentless pursuit of excellence.
