The Apple That Changed The World

The Legacy of Steve Jobs

By Matthew Brent

“Steven Paul Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) was an American businessman and inventor widely recognized as a charismatic pioneer of the personal computer revolution. He was co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple Inc.”

Reference: Wikipedia article on Steve Jobs (2012/02/15)

We all know about Steve Jobs; we have all been inspired by him in one way or another. Who else can say that they built a computer in a garage with a friend? Then got kicked out of the big Apple he’d help create? Steve can.

In the early 1970’s, Steve and his co-founder, Stephen Wozniak, created a successful line of personal computers, of the first in the world.  When Apple Inc. (hereafter referred to as Apple) went public in the late 1970’s it generated the biggest Initial Public Offering capital since Ford Motor Company in 1956.

The company proceeded until Steve was asked to step down from his position in the company. Steve then resigned from Apple 5 months later.

In 1996, he returned to Apple as his new project “NeXT” was merged with Apple, and he appointed to the position of CEO, and continued to run Apple until August 2011. Steve then resigned his position as CEO, and continued as the Chairman of Apple’s board. Following his resignation Apple shares dropped 5% in value.  The stockmarket had spoken.

Steve was diagnosed with cancer. In mid-2004 he announced he had a cancerous tumour in his pancreas. In April of 2009 he received a liver transplant, and his health was described as “excellent”.

Steve Jobs stood down from his position on 4 October 2012, saying that “my time has come”. A day later, he died at his California home. He is said to have died a peaceful death with his last words being “Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow”.

Steve Jobs may have left us, he may have gone to a better place, but his legacy lives on, he was a team leader, he did what he had to do in order to get the job done, even if he had to go the extra mile.

Steve’s legacy lives on. He was posthumously awarded the Grammy Trustees Award in February 2012, in honour of his contribution to music in areas unrelated to performance.

His company, Apple, lives on to bring the latest technology to the public, all based on what one man made in his garage.

So, what are you going to make in your garage?

RIP, Steve Jobs.  February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011