Overview
This lecture covers the life and achievements of Steve Jobs, focusing on his founding of Apple, innovations in personal computing, ventures with NeXT and Pixar, and his legacy.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
- Steve Jobs was born in 1955 in San Francisco and raised by adoptive parents in Cupertino, California.
- He dropped out of Reed College, worked at Atari as a video game designer, and traveled to India to explore Buddhism.
- Jobs reconnected with his high school friend Steve Wozniak in 1974, sparking collaboration on early computers.
Founding of Apple Inc.
- In 1976, Jobs and Wozniak founded Apple and created their first product, the Apple I, in the Jobs family garage.
- Jobs recognized the potential for personal computers to appeal to a mass audience.
- The Apple II, released in 1977, featured a keyboard and plastic casing, becoming a major commercial success.
- Apple went public in 1981 and quickly rose to the Fortune 500 list; John Sculley was recruited as CEO in 1983.
Innovations and the Macintosh
- In 1979, Jobs was inspired by Xerox PARC's graphical user interface during a demonstration.
- He led the development of the Macintosh, emphasizing design and ease of use, introducing it in 1984 with a landmark marketing campaign.
- The Macintosh was initially underpowered and expensive, resulting in slow sales, but eventually became central to Apple's success.
- Tensions at Apple led to Jobs' removal from the company in 1985.
NeXT and Pixar Ventures
- Jobs founded NeXT Inc., focusing on powerful workstation computers and innovative software systems.
- NeXT computers were notable for their engineering but struggled commercially.
- In 1986, Jobs bought Pixar, which went on to produce the first fully computer-animated film, Toy Story, in 1995.
- Pixar's success made Jobs a billionaire, and he sold Pixar to Disney in 2006.
Steve Jobs' Legacy and Death
- Jobs was considered a visionary and genius, fundamentally changing telecommunications and personal computing.
- He was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer in 2003 and died in 2011 at age 56.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Personal Computer — A general-purpose computer designed for individual use.
- Graphical User Interface (GUI) — An interface allowing users to interact with electronic devices using graphical icons.
- Workstation — A high-performance computer designed for technical or scientific applications.
- IPO (Initial Public Offering) — The first time a company offers its stock to the public.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Apple’s key product launches and their impact on technology.
- Study how Jobs’ leadership style influenced product design and marketing.
- Read about the evolution of Pixar and computer animation.