Image credit: “Steve Wozniak by Gage Skidmore” by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc., is a pioneering computer engineer and inventor. Born on August 11, 1950, he played a key role in the personal computing revolution alongside Steve Jobs, creating the Apple I and Apple II computers.
Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen Gary Wozniak |
| Nickname | Woz |
| Date of Birth | August 11, 1950 |
| Nationality | American |
| Professions | Technology Entrepreneur, Electrical Engineer, Computer Programmer, Philanthropist, Inventor |
| Notable Achievements |
|
| Influence | One of the prominent pioneers of the personal computer revolution |
| Accident | Suffered a traumatic airplane accident, leading to a brief departure from Apple |
| Apple Employment | Remained an employee of Apple in a ceremonial capacity since stepping down in 1985 |
| Philanthropy and Ventures |
|
Early Life
Stephen Gary Wozniak, widely known as Steve Wozniak, was born on August 11, 1950, in San Jose, California. He was raised in a family that valued education and innovation, which influenced his interest in electronics and technology from a young age. His father, Jerry Wozniak, was an engineer for Lockheed, and his mother, Margaret Wozniak, supported his early interests. As a child, Wozniak showed a keen aptitude for building electronic devices and creating innovative solutions. He attended Homestead High School in Cupertino, California, where he met Steve Jobs, with whom he would later co-found Apple Inc. After high school, Wozniak enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder but eventually transferred to the University of California, Berkeley. However, he dropped out to pursue his passion for electronics, which led to the creation of the groundbreaking Apple I computer.
Family
| Name | Relation | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Margaret Louise Wozniak | Mother | Margaret Louise Wozniak was a homemaker. She provided a nurturing environment for her children and supported them in their academic and extracurricular activities. |
| Francis Jacob “Jerry” Wozniak | Father | Francis Jacob “Jerry” Wozniak was an engineer at Lockheed Martin. His technical background and encouragement played a crucial role in fostering Steve’s interest in electronics and engineering. |
| Leslie Wozniak | Sister | Leslie Wozniak is Steve Wozniak’s younger sister. She maintains a relatively private life, away from the public eye, but has been supportive of her brother’s endeavors. |
| Mark Wozniak | Brother | Mark Wozniak is Steve Wozniak’s brother. Like Leslie, Mark also keeps a low profile. He has a background in engineering and shares a close bond with Steve. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Chest | Unknown |
| Waist | Unknown |
| Hips | Unknown |
| Shoe Size | Unknown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Gray |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Steve Wozniak is currently married to Janet Hill. They got married in August 2008. Janet Hill, who is a former Apple education development executive, has been very supportive of Steve’s endeavors. The couple has been together for over a decade now and maintains a low profile, focusing on their personal lives and philanthropy.
| Partner Name | Relationship Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Robertson | Wife | Steve Wozniak’s first wife. They were married from 1976 to 1980. |
| Candice Clark | Wife | Steve Wozniak’s second wife. They were married from 1981 to 1987 and have three children together. |
| Suzanne Mulkern | Wife | Steve Wozniak’s third wife. They were married from 1990 to 2004. |
| Kathy Griffin | Girlfriend | Steve Wozniak dated comedian Kathy Griffin in 2007. Their relationship was well-publicized, but it eventually ended amicably. |
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Steve Wozniak, often referred to as “Woz,” became famous as the co-founder of Apple Inc., alongside Steve Jobs. He is widely recognized for his role in developing the Apple I and Apple II computers, which revolutionized the personal computing industry in the 1970s and 1980s.
Steve Wozniak’s career began with his deep interest in electronics and computers during his youth. He initially worked at Hewlett-Packard (HP) but continued to pursue his passion for creating personal computers. In 1976, he co-founded Apple Computer, Inc. (now Apple Inc.) with Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne. Wozniak’s engineering expertise led to the creation of the Apple I computer, followed by the highly successful Apple II, which became one of the first commercially successful personal computers.
- Apple I: The first product of Apple Inc., designed and hand-built by Wozniak in 1976.
- Apple II: Launched in 1977, it was one of the earliest and most successful personal computers, featuring color graphics and an open architecture.
- US Festivals: Wozniak was the primary financial backer for these music and technology festivals held in 1982 and 1983.
- Wheels of Zeus (WOZ): A company Wozniak founded in 2001 to create wireless GPS technology, which he later sold in 2006.
- National Medal of Technology: Awarded in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan, along with Steve Jobs, for their contributions to the personal computer industry.
- IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award: Received in 2004 for his contributions to the design of the personal computer.
- Computer History Museum Fellow: Inducted in 1997 for his work in the personal computer industry.
- Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy, and Employment: Received in 2001.
- Inventors Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2000 for his work on the first personal computer.
While Steve Wozniak is generally known for his engineering prowess and contributions to technology, he has been involved in a few controversies:
- Departure from Apple: Wozniak left Apple in 1985, citing a diminishing interest in the company’s direction and a desire to pursue other projects. This move was seen by some as a controversial exit given his pivotal role in the company’s early success.
- Comments on Modern Apple: Over the years, Wozniak has occasionally made critical remarks about Apple’s products and policies, including criticisms of the iPhone and Apple’s closed ecosystem, which have sometimes stirred debate among tech enthusiasts.
- Involvement with US Festivals: The US Festivals, which Wozniak financed, were financial failures despite their cultural impact. The significant financial losses were a point of controversy and criticism.
Steve Wozniak continues to be a prominent figure in the tech industry, known for his innovative spirit, engineering talent, and outspoken nature. His contributions to personal computing have left a lasting legacy that continues to influence the technology we use today.
FAQ
- Designing the Apple I and Apple II computers.
- Receiving the National Medal of Technology in 1985 (with Steve Jobs).
- Being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2000.
- Authoring the autobiography “iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon” in 2006.
