The Genius of Jobs Lives On
Tyler Miller-Gordon, Jr. Staff Writer
November 2, 2011
Filed under Features, News
Genius occurs in some, few and far between, and yet there is no reluctance when I say that Steve Jobs was a genius. Hints of Jobs’ genius could be noted back as far back as 1971: he was a member of the electronics club at Homestead High in California’s Silicon Valley. He remained a “tech-geek” to the end, and was often referred to as “one of the most iconic and tide-changing tech CEO’s of all time.” His innovations have affected my generation so tremendously that it’s hard to imagine what our lives would be like without Jobs’ inventions and involvements.
Steve Jobs has been changing the tides since 1976 when Apple-the roots of his career-came out with their first ever, hand-built, computer. In 1976, when Jobs was just 21, he and a close friend started Apple Computers. The duo started in the Jobs’ family garage, and funded their entrepreneurial venture after Jobs sold his Volkswagen bus and Wozniak sold his beloved scientific calculator. Jobs’ job was to handle the marketing for the innovation, coming up with the catchy tagline “Byte into an Apple.”
Jobs contribution and innovation did not end there. Eight years later, in 1984, Apple’s first Macintosh computer (more commonly known as a “Mac”) was unveiled. The computer amazed most people as technological advances usually do; especially those who watched the 1984 Super Bowl. Apple featured an advertisement for the Mac, containing a futuristic appeal that pleased consumers.
Apple, lacking insight, fired Jobs. Undaunted and continuing his flow of genius, Jobs bought an animation company from George Lucas, the director of Star Wars, and developed the company’s computer graphics division. This division-Pixar-started a legacy in 1995, that ran well into the new millennium, greatly impacting our generation. One of the first films Pixar produced was the now classic Toy Story. This film changed the face of animation, just as it changed the 90’s generation. Every child was drawn into the world of toys that came to life when their owner, Andy, was away.
As Pixar flourished in the 90’s, Apple floundered, with a downward spiral. Apple realized what was wrong— they didn’t have Jobs. Jobs came to the rescue, dressed in his heroic attire (the trademarked black turtleneck and blue jeans) packing his innovative genius. The iMac emerged, featuring five different colors, appealing to consumers. Apple then came out with the first generation of the famous iPod.
Portable music was already on the scene with downsized handheld radios and CD players, but the iPod was different. On the iPod, listeners had their music, downloaded from their own computers, whenever, and wherever they wanted. This profound innovation had one of the biggest technological impacts on not only the “90’s generation”, but on society as a whole. This creation was one of the most pivotal points in technological history. Between 2001 and 2010, over 250 million iPods were sold. Each generation had new advancements and features. How many IPod owners go more than a day or two without using theirs? Very few, if any at all…
WithJobs back in the saddle, Apple was on a roll, and after a year, the iMac got a makeover. Five more years passed, and Jobs introduces the iPhone, outshining the iPods. The iPhone is most similar to the iPod Touch, but it has the ability to call and text, like a mobile phone. This new craze swept the tech world, and has continued with each new generation of iPhone. Success has been seen as well with the touch screen tablet, the iPad.
The thirst for new technology appeared to be never ending, and Jobs, as CEO of Apple, was ready to quench this thirst. Working just as hard as he’s ever done, Jobs continued until August of 2011, fighting cancer in the process. However, this was one battle no technology could overcome, and cancer eventually won out on October 5th, 2011. Jobs was 56. He is survived by his wife and three kids.
Many newspapers and magazines covered Jobs’ life story and titled it “Death of a Genius.” I wouldn’t necessarily agree. Jobs’ devotion to Apple was so immense, and he put such a great deal of himself into every aspect of the company. So Jobs lives on, through his products, through Apple and Pixar, and through all of us, whose lives he has greatly affected forever.
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I believe that Steve Jobs was more than a genius. It is amazing how intelligent this man was. I couldn’t even imagine what the world would be like without Jobs. He did more than just create the iPod; He created a new future for us. It always makes me wonber what new technology he could of created. It was almost like anything was possible for Jobs. I hope that the world will soon introduce a “new Jobs” to continue to make even more incredible advancements. Btw, the article was very entertaining. (:
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Steve Jobs was an innovator who created many of the technological advancements we have today. I can only hope that Apple can continue producing many great prouducts like Steve Jobs. He will be missed by his fans all over the world.
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