Steve Jobs is dead at 56

Developments and the Environment

Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011)

Steve Paul Jobs (commonly known as Steve Jobs), the co-founder and, until August 24, 2011, the Chief Executive of Apple, died on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at the age of 56. He has been battling pancreatic cancer for over 7 years. He was first diagnosed of the disease in 2003.

Apple on its website, said about Steve Jobs:

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Sreve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple"

Steve Jobs was truly visionary and creative. His history is equally fascinating and amazing. He was an adult adoptee who has grown up to transform the life of everyone of us living on the earth of his generation. Steve Jobs tremendously impacted the digital computing industry and the world as a whole with the suites of applications developed by Apple under his leadership. He is believed by many to be highly innovative and possessing very strong marketing and entrepreneurial abilities. He is also believed, by some, to be a demanding perfectionist.

He resigned from his position as the Apple's Chief Executive on August 24, 2011 through a letter that he wrote to Apple's Board of Directors. In the letter Steve Jobs stated "I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come" He resigned his position as the CEO but chose to remain as the Chairman of Apple's Board of Directors and an employee of Apple.

Steve Jobs strongly recommended that Apple execute its succession plan by naming Tim Cook as the next CEO.

Steve Jobs co-founded Apple in 1976 with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne with some later funding from Mike Markkula, then semi0-retired Intel product-marketing manager and engineer.

Apple had some very challenging years between 1978 and 1983, when Mike Scott from hired from National Semiconductor was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) which led to Apple hiring John Sculley formerly of Pepsi-Cola as the new CEO. Apple recorded major success in 1984 with Macintosh to the computer industry.

Steve Jobs fell out with John Sculley and he was fired in May 1985. Steve later went to found a computer company called NeXT computer in 1985. He also bought the Graphics Group (later named Pixar) in 1986. Pixar partnered with Disney to produce a number of computer-animated feature films.

Apple bought NeXT computer in 1996 and Steve returned to Apple and later became the Chief Executive. He revived the dying Apple group with several innovative products such Apple, Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Macintoch, Macbook, iMac, Mac Pro.

Steve Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003. He continued as the Chief Excutive Officer of Apple and the Chairman of the Apple�s board of Director until August 24, 2011 when he came out to explain publicly that he can no longer carry on as the CEO of Apple, although he remained as the Chairman of the Board of Director until his death on October 5, 2011.

Several world leaders have paid tribute to Steve Jobs. Mr. Barrack Obama, the US President said �Steve was among the greatest of American innovators � brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it,"

Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder, said: �The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honour,"

The founder of Netscape browser, Marc Andreessen, also commented that: "Steve was the best of the best. Like Mozart and Picasso, he may never be equalled."

Steve was, undoubtedly, a great and successful man. However, Steve was highly controversial. There were several controversies on his business styles, personal life and management approaches. It was reported that he is a kind of boss that many of his employees would not want to meet in an elevator because they may loose their jobs before they get out of the elevator. Many consider him high-handed and very temperamental.

Steve, also, had not a few brawls with the environmental organizations. There were environmental concerns about the chemicals contained in Apple�s suite of products and the manner of disposal of the Apple�s products when they are no longer required. Similar concerns were expressed for products of Apple�s competitors such as Dell, Lenovo, Hewlett Packard etc. However, while other companies were reported to be very responsive and forthcoming with fixing the concerns, Apple was considered adamant and not doing anything to allay the fears of the environmental industry for a while. For details on the environmental record of Apple under the leadership of Steve Jobs, please follow the link: Steve Jobs and the Environment.

Hate him or love him, Steve Jobs made a tremendous impact on our world and his legacies will be with us for years to come.

Related Websites on Steve Jobs:

Steve Jobs - Wikipedia

All about Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs Authorized Biography coming in Early 2012 - ABC News

Steve Jobs Biography pushed up for release

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