Steve Jobs

Hello, my name is Steve Jobs. You might know my name from the back of a shiny phone or computer. I was born on February 24th, 1955, and grew up in California. My adoptive parents, Paul and Clara, were the most wonderful parents a kid could ask for. My dad, Paul, was a mechanic, and he was brilliant with his hands. Our garage was like a magical workshop. He taught me how to take apart electronics, like radios and televisions, and then carefully put them back together. I learned to appreciate how things were designed and built. That garage was my favorite place in the world, and it was there that I discovered my lifelong love for making things.

When I was a teenager, I met someone who loved electronics as much as I did. His name was Steve Wozniak, but everyone called him 'Woz.' He was a true genius with circuits and computer code. We became good friends right away, and we loved building things and even playing a few pranks together. In 1976, Woz and I had a huge idea. We wanted to build a computer that wasn't a giant machine in a laboratory, but something small and friendly enough for anyone to use at home or in school. We didn't have a fancy office, so we started our company right in my parents' garage. We decided to call our new company Apple Computer. Our dream was to put the power of a computer into the hands of everyday people.

Our first computers, like the Apple II, were a big success. People loved that they could have a computer in their own homes. But we wanted to do even more. In 1984, we introduced a computer that would change everything: the Macintosh. It was special because it was the first popular computer that you could control with a little device called a mouse. Instead of typing complicated commands, you could just point and click on small pictures on the screen called icons. It made using a computer feel fun and easy. However, things at Apple became difficult for me. The year after we launched the Macintosh, in 1985, I had some big disagreements with the other leaders of the company. In the end, I had to leave Apple, the company I helped start from nothing. It was one of the hardest moments of my life, but it also pushed me toward new adventures.

Losing my job at Apple was tough, but I didn't stop creating. I started a new computer company called NeXT, where we tried to build very powerful computers for schools and scientists. At the same time, I got involved with a small company that made computer graphics. We gave it a new name: Pixar. Our team worked incredibly hard, and in 1995, we released the world's very first computer-animated movie, Toy Story. It was a huge hit and changed movies forever. Then, something I never expected happened. In 1997, Apple was struggling, and they asked me to come back to help lead the company again. It felt like coming home, and I was thrilled to have a second chance to work on the things I loved.

When I returned to Apple, my team and I were ready to 'think differently.' We believed technology should be more than just useful—it should also be beautiful, simple, and a joy to use. We started by creating the iMac, a computer that came in bright, fun colors. Then we invented the iPod, a tiny device that let you carry a thousand songs in your pocket. In 2007, we introduced the iPhone, which put a powerful computer, a music player, and a phone all into one device. A few years later, in 2010, we created the iPad. Each of these inventions changed how we all listen to music, talk to our friends and family, and connect to the internet.

I poured my whole heart into my work because I truly believed that technology could be a wonderful tool for creativity. I wanted to build things that would help people make their own mark on the world. I lived to be 56 years old, passing away on October 5th, 2011. Today, people remember me for encouraging everyone to 'think differently' and for helping create tools that empower people all over the world to connect, create, and share their own amazing ideas.