Not all leaders are born with leadership qualities. Most do not inherit particular skill sets that lead them to become emperors of villages, monarchs of kingdoms or CEOs of businesses. Rather, some leaders are ordinary individuals excited about change. They pledge to improve the process of how things are done. Steve Jobs was an innovator in every sense. His passion for cultivating new technology drove one of the most sought-after computer companies in the world.
Following his 2011 death, Jobs’ story is one that continues to be told. The most relevant of which is the upcoming film “Jobs,” starring Ashton Kutcher. But what is it that makes one man’s life story worthy of nine books and now five films. There is a simple, one-word answer to that: Apple.
Jobs’ multi-billion dollar brainchild, Apple Computers, has exponentially grown from humble beginnings as a hobby Jobs had enjoyed as a boy.
In 1971, while enrolled in Homestead High School, Jobs befriended his future partner Steve Wozniak. Wozniak, a few years older than Jobs, shared the same passion for technology.
After graduating from high school, Jobs enrolled at Reed College but discontinued classes after a six-month interim. By the age of 21, the college dropout partnered with Wozniak and,together they embarked on their entrepreneurial expedition.
By inventing cheaper, smaller and more accessible machines to consumers, the duo revolutionized the industry.
Sadly in 2003, Jobs contracted a rare but operable form of pancreatic cancer. Instead of immediately undergoing surgery, Jobs chose a more holistic approach to cure his disease. For nine months, Jobs postponed surgeries, altering his pesco-vegetarian diet while considering Eastern treatment options. In 2004, Jobs had the pancreatic tumor removed successfully. In the following years, Jobs offered little insight into his health.
Apple continued to patent products like the Macbook Air, the iPod an“d the iPhone, dictating the evolution of modern technology. After each Apple product was introduced, the competition scrambled to produce a comparable device.
In 2008, iTunes became the second largest music retailer in America. With 200 million iPods sold and six billion songs downloaded, half of Apple’s current revenue comes from iTunes and iPod sales. These statistics landed Apple the top spot on Fortune magazine’s list of “America’s Most Admired Companies,” as well as the top spot among Fortune 500 companies for returns to shareholders.
After years of endless success, Jobs’ luck finally came to an end in 2011. After a pancreatic cancer relapse caused him to go into respiratory arrest, Jobs died Oct. 5 in his home. Following his death, Jobs became even more of a media icon, inspiring more films and documentaries than anyone else in the computer industry.
Jobs made it easy for filmmakers to recount his remarkable journey.- a journey that led to his spectacular entrepreneurship of one of the most notorious computer companies in the world. He was the Picasso of the computer boom. He pioneered novel devices that continue to excite and captivate millions worldwide.
