Tech Icon Steve Jobs Dies at 56

Steve Jobs, Apple founder and CEO and the man who embodied innovation for a generation of American entrepreneurs, died today at age 56. The announcement came from Apple’s board of directors: ”Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.” Jobs had been battling cancer since 2004 and had a liver transplant in 2009; he resigned as the CEO of Apple last August 24.

With Steve Wozniak, college dropout Jobs founded Apple Computer in 1976, introducing the world to the first personal computer, the Apple II, and revolutionizing how we interact with technology. Besides Apple, he headed NeXT and Pixar, and changed how we buy, listen to and carry music.

Steve Jobs was the consummate marketer, and is credited with turning the art of product design upside down with his approach of creating demand with new products rather than meeting existing expectations. His presentation style — spare, elegant, yet also dramatic — is an object lesson for anyone launching a business; his product unveilings were legendary.

While famed for his marketing instincts and somewhat fearsome management style, Jobs was above all an innovator and creator. Hailed as the Thomas Edison of his time, he is listed as inventor or co-inventor on 313 U.S. patents for laptops, desktop computers, smart phones, the iPad, keyboards, packaging, operating systems and more.

In this commencement address to Stanford University in 2005, Jobs describes the arc of his own life in three stories. Its 15 minutes shows the drive, intensity, aesthetics and intellectual curiosity that were the hallmarks of his life and the products he created:

Jobs’ parting words to the Stanford grads in 2005 was “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition,” advice that he followed to the fullest.

A message on the Apple website invites the public to share thoughts, memories and condolences by emailing rememberingsteve@apple.com.

Read more: apple, computer, entrepreneur, innovation, ipad, obituary, steve jobs, technology

Photo of Steve Jobs from apple.com website, 10/5/2011

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Annmari L.

4:42PM PDT on Oct 29, 2011

Condolences to his family.
But as for Jobs himself...He ignored report after report of how people were treated in the factories that produced his inventions, where the raw materials for his products where mined and how child labor and union bashing was (and is) an everyday occurance. Jobs was just interested in one thing and that was lining his own pockets. I'm glad I've never purchased any of his stuff and proud I can live without them!

send a green star

Dana W.

9:35PM PDT on Oct 12, 2011

Steve Jobs was a true icon in so many ways. What a shame he died so young as who knows what other innovations he would have pioneered to influence our society?

Annie k.

2:11PM PDT on Oct 12, 2011

RIP, Steve Jobs.

Jane W.

8:52PM PDT on Oct 10, 2011

thnx for this

Pandute A.

12:21PM PDT on Oct 10, 2011

R.I.P.

Robert H.

11:25PM PDT on Oct 9, 2011

LOLOLOLOL Robyn O

Tim C.

3:25PM PDT on Oct 8, 2011

Thanks. Even I respect Steve Jobs and use Apple products.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/apple-pollution/ Please.

y.d. j.

12:29PM PDT on Oct 8, 2011

to delete on a PC is not easy as you describe: it stays on your computer FOREVER! On a Mac however, 2 clicks and it gone and deleted FOREVER! that's the difference and you are too naive to understand a real Mac computer

C. G.

10:51AM PDT on Oct 8, 2011

I always was a mac and will be a mac person, thank to Steve Jobs. He made my life easier because of iChat software...I'm Deaf and use ASL to communicate to other Deaf who has an iChat. He was a genius among geniuses... and he will be missed...

Silvia G.

9:51AM PDT on Oct 8, 2011

He had a great mind indeed. Such a shame he died so young.