“It’s really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.”
– Steve Jobs, 1955 – 2011
Apple Computer CEO, IT Visionary, Creative Genius
After a long battle with cancer, Steve Jobs passed away at his Cupertino, CA home October 6, 2011. Known for pushing the boundaries of “Whats Possible?” he was sometimes viewed as a rock star of Silicon Valley.
With the help of his friend Steve Wozniak, Jobs built the Apple 1 in his parents garage in Cupertino, CA in 1976, launching a new era of human innovation based on the Personal Computer (PC). It was priced at $666.66 and came with no keyboard, mouse, or display. Purchasers also had to put the machine together themselves.
From that primitive machine, Jobs helped build Apple Computer to one of the largest and most valuable companies in the world, briefly surpassing Exxon-Mobile as the world’s most valuable company, and generating more cash reserves than the US Treasury. His company re-engineered the way we use computers, cell phones, and even how we listen to music in ways we never imagined. Time after time, Jobs and Apple Computer sold people on a product they didn’t know they needed until after he invented it.
Steve Jobs will be missed in the tech world, and we hold dear the time he spent with us.