Timeline

Documented events in the life of Steven Paul Jobs

28

Events

1955

First Event

2011

Last Event

1955 birth 95% confidence

Steven Paul Jobs born in San Francisco, California to Abdulfattah 'John' Jandali and Joanne Carole Schieble

Birth of future technology icon, establishing circumstances that would shape his identity

1955 personal 90% confidence

Adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs in Mountain View, California

Adoption experience profoundly influenced his perfectionism and need for control

1967 personal 85% confidence

Enrolled at Homestead High School in Cupertino, California

Beginning of formal education in heart of Silicon Valley

1971 personal 90% confidence

Met Steve Wozniak through mutual friend Bill Fernandez

Beginning of partnership that would create Apple Computer

1972 career 90% confidence

Enrolled at Reed College in Portland, Oregon

Expensive liberal arts education that influenced his aesthetic sensibilities

1972 personal 90% confidence

Dropped out of Reed College after one semester but continued auditing classes

Pattern of unconventional approach to formal education and authority

1974 career 90% confidence

Hired as technician at Atari, Inc.

First significant job in technology industry, influenced design philosophy

1974 personal 80% confidence

Traveled to India seeking spiritual enlightenment

Spiritual journey that reinforced interest in Eastern philosophy and minimalism

1975 career 85% confidence

Attended first meeting of Homebrew Computer Club

Exposure to personal computer revolution and entrepreneurial opportunities

1976 business 95% confidence

Co-founded Apple Computer Company with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne

Birth of company that would revolutionize personal computing

1976 achievement 90% confidence

Released Apple I computer

First commercial product establishing Apple in personal computer market

1977 achievement 95% confidence

Launched Apple II computer at West Coast Computer Faire

Revolutionary product that established personal computer industry

1980 business 95% confidence

Apple Computer went public with largest IPO in history at that time

Created hundreds of millionaires and established Jobs as major business figure

1983 business 90% confidence

Recruited John Sculley from PepsiCo as Apple CEO

Decision that would later lead to his departure from Apple

1984 achievement 95% confidence

Launched original Macintosh computer

Introduced graphical user interface to mass market, revolutionizing computing

1985 controversy 95% confidence

Resigned from Apple Computer following boardroom coup

Dramatic departure that began his wilderness years and eventual triumphant return

1985 business 90% confidence

Founded NeXT Computer Inc.

New venture that developed technology later crucial to Apple's renaissance

1986 business 90% confidence

Purchased computer graphics division from Lucasfilm, founding Pixar Animation Studios

Entry into entertainment industry that would become highly successful

1991 personal 90% confidence

Married Laurene Powell in Yosemite National Park

Beginning of stable family life during his years away from Apple

1995 achievement 95% confidence

Pixar's 'Toy Story' premiered, becoming first fully computer-animated feature film

Revolutionary achievement in animation technology and storytelling

1995 business 95% confidence

Pixar went public, making Jobs a billionaire

Financial success outside of computing demonstrated his broader business acumen

1997 career 95% confidence

Returned to Apple as interim CEO after company acquired NeXT

Dramatic return to save struggling Apple and begin greatest comeback in business history

1998 achievement 95% confidence

Launched iMac computer

First major success of Apple's revival, established new design philosophy

2001 achievement 95% confidence

Launched original iPod

Device that transformed Apple from computer company to consumer electronics giant

2007 achievement 95% confidence

Introduced iPhone at Macworld Conference & Expo

Revolutionary device that created smartphone industry and became Apple's most important product

2010 achievement 95% confidence

Launched iPad tablet computer

Created tablet computing category and further diversified Apple's product line

2011 personal 95% confidence

Resigned as CEO of Apple due to declining health

End of his active leadership of Apple while battling pancreatic cancer

2011 death 95% confidence

Died at his home in Palo Alto, California from complications of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor

End of life of one of most influential technology leaders in history