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Steve Jobs' Milestones
Birth
Steven Paul Jobs was born in San Francisco, California, to Joanne Carole Schieble and Abdulfattah Jandali, who gave him up for adoption.
Adoption
Adopted by Paul Reinhold Jobs, a machinist, and Clara Hagopian Jobs, an accountant, shortly after birth. They named him Steven Paul Jobs.
Sister Patricia adopted
Paul and Clara Jobs adopted Patricia (Patti) two years after Steve.
Moved to Mountain View
Family moved from San Francisco to a tract house in Monta Loma, Mountain View, California, when Steve was about to start elementary school.
Started elementary school
Attended Monta Loma Elementary School in Mountain View. He was often bored and played pranks, but a fourth-grade teacher, Imogene Hill, recognized his intelligence and motivated him.
Developed interest in electronics
Encouraged by his father Paul, developed an early interest in electronics and mechanics, working on projects in the family garage in Mountain View.
Skipped 5th grade
Due to his advanced performance in 4th grade, he skipped the 5th grade and transferred directly to 6th grade at Crittenden Middle School in Mountain View.
Moved to Los Altos
Family moved to Los Altos, California, allowing Steve to attend Cupertino Junior High and later Homestead High School. The family garage on Crist Drive would later become the first site of Apple Computer.
Summer job at HP
At age 13, got a summer job on the assembly line at Hewlett-Packard after boldly cold-calling co-founder Bill Hewlett to ask for parts for a frequency counter.
Started high school
Attended Homestead High School in Cupertino, California, where he further developed his interests in electronics and counterculture.
Met Steve Wozniak
Met Stephen 'Steve' Wozniak, who was five years older, through mutual friend Bill Fernandez. They bonded over electronics and pranks.
Built "Blue Boxes"
With Wozniak, built and sold 'Blue Boxes', illegal devices that allowed making free long-distance phone calls, their first entrepreneurial venture.
Graduated high school
Graduated from Homestead High School.
Started Reed College
Enrolled at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, a liberal arts college known for its progressive environment.
Audited calligraphy class at Reed
After dropping out, audited a calligraphy class at Reed College, which he later credited with influencing the Macintosh's typography, multiple typefaces, and proportionally spaced fonts.
Dropped out of Reed
Officially dropped out of Reed College after one semester due to the financial burden on his parents, but continued to audit classes that interested him for another 18 months.
Trip to India
Traveled to India with Reed friend Daniel Kottke in search of spiritual enlightenment at the Kainchi Dham ashram of Neem Karoli Baba; returned a Buddhist with a shaved head.
Job at Atari
Worked as a technician at Atari, hired by Al Alcorn. He was tasked with creating a circuit board for the game Breakout, enlisting Wozniak's help.
Apple I development
Collaborated with Wozniak on developing the Apple I computer, primarily in the Jobs family garage in Los Altos. Jobs focused on the vision and marketability.
Founded Apple Computer
Co-founded Apple Computer Company with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. Wayne sold his 10% share back to Jobs and Wozniak for $800 days later.
Apple I sales
Secured Apple's first major order: 50 Apple I computers from Paul Terrell's Byte Shop in Mountain View, at $500 each (they retailed for $666.66). About 200 units were produced in total.
Mike Markkula investment
Secured crucial investment from Armas Clifford 'Mike' Markkula Jr., a retired Intel marketing manager, who invested $250,000 ($92,000 as an equity investment and $158,000 as a loan) and helped incorporate Apple Computer, Inc.
Apple II launch
Launched the Apple II computer at the West Coast Computer Faire. Its user-friendly design and color graphics made it a massive success and one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputers.
Began Lisa project
Began work on the Apple Lisa project, envisioned as a powerful personal computer with a graphical user interface. Named after his daughter, though he publicly denied this at the time.
Daughter Lisa born
Daughter Lisa Nicole Brennan (later Brennan-Jobs) born to his former girlfriend Chrisann Brennan. Jobs initially denied paternity for several years, though a DNA test confirmed it.
Xerox PARC visit
Arranged two visits to Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), where he and other Apple engineers saw demonstrations of the Alto computer's graphical user interface (GUI), inspiring features for Lisa and Macintosh.
Removed from Lisa project
Removed from the Lisa project by Apple President Michael Scott due to his difficult management style. He then shifted his focus to the smaller Macintosh project.
Apple goes public
Apple Computer went public (AAPL), offering 4.6 million shares at $22 per share. It was the largest IPO since Ford Motor Company in 1956, making Jobs a multimillionaire.
Took over Macintosh project
Took over the Macintosh project from Jef Raskin, redirecting it to create a revolutionary, more affordable personal computer with a GUI.
Lisa computer released
Apple Lisa computer released. Technologically advanced but commercially unsuccessful due to its high price ($9,995) and slow performance.
Macintosh launch
Launched the original Macintosh computer with the iconic '1984' Super Bowl commercial directed by Ridley Scott. It popularized the GUI.
Power struggle at Apple
Lost a boardroom power struggle with CEO John Sculley, whom Jobs had recruited. The board sided with Sculley, stripping Jobs of most of his operational responsibilities.
Founded NeXT
Founded NeXT Inc. with $7 million of his own money and several former Apple employees, aiming to build powerful workstation computers for the higher education and business markets.
Resigned from Apple
Formally resigned as Chairman of Apple Computer after being sidelined. He sold all but one of his Apple shares.
Purchased Pixar
Bought The Graphics Group (later renamed Pixar) from Lucasfilm's computer graphics division for $5 million, investing an additional $5 million as capital. Initially a high-end graphics hardware company.
NeXT Computer unveiled
Unveiled the NeXT Computer (the 'Cube') at a lavish launch event at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. It was technologically advanced but expensive ($6,500).
Met Laurene Powell
Met his future wife Laurene Powell when he gave a lecture at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she was a student.
Engagement to Laurene
Proposed to Laurene Powell on New Year's Day 1990.
NeXTstation released
NeXT released the NeXTstation, a lower-cost 'slab' version of the NeXT computer, still aimed at academic and business markets.
Married Laurene Powell
Married Laurene Powell in a Buddhist ceremony officiated by Kōbun Chino Otogawa at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park.
Son Reed born
First child with Laurene, son Reed Paul Jobs, born.
NeXT hardware discontinued
NeXT announced it would stop manufacturing hardware and focus on its innovative NeXTSTEP operating system software.
Father Paul died
His adoptive father, Paul Jobs, died.
Daughter Erin born
Second child with Laurene, daughter Erin Siena Jobs, born.
Toy Story released
Pixar's first full-length feature film, Toy Story, was released. It was a massive critical and commercial success, revolutionizing animated filmmaking and making Jobs a billionaire after the IPO.
Pixar IPO
Pixar (PIXR) went public one week after Toy Story's release. The IPO was hugely successful, valuing Jobs' stake at over $1 billion.
Apple acquired NeXT
Apple announced it would acquire NeXT for $429 million in cash and 1.5 million Apple shares. The deal, finalized on Feb 7, 1997, brought Jobs back to Apple as an advisor, and NeXTSTEP became the foundation for Mac OS X.
Became Apple interim CEO
Named interim CEO (iCEO) of Apple after CEO Gil Amelio was ousted in July. Jobs initially stated he would not stay permanently.
Launched 'Think Different' campaign
Spearheaded the 'Think Different' advertising campaign, featuring iconic 20th-century figures, which helped to revitalize Apple's brand image and signal a new era for the company.
Daughter Eve born
Third child with Laurene, daughter Eve Jobs, born.
iMac launched
Unveiled the iMac, a colorful, all-in-one translucent computer. It was a huge commercial success, revitalized Apple, and marked its comeback. Shipped August 15.
Became permanent CEO
Dropped the 'interim' title and officially became permanent CEO of Apple during his keynote at Macworld Expo.
Opened first Apple Retail Stores
Oversaw the opening of the first two Apple retail stores in Tysons Corner, Virginia, and Glendale, California, a risky but ultimately highly successful venture that redefined tech retail.
iPod launched
Unveiled the iPod, a portable digital music player that could hold '1,000 songs in your pocket.' It revolutionized the music industry and Apple's business.
iTunes Store launched
Launched the iTunes Music Store, a legal online music marketplace offering 99-cent song downloads, which quickly became the dominant online music retailer.
Cancer diagnosis
Diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, or PNET) during an abdominal scan. Initially resisted conventional medical treatment, opting for alternative therapies for nine months.
Cancer surgery
Underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) at Stanford University Medical Center to remove the tumor. Publicly announced his illness in August.
Announced Mac transition to Intel
Announced at WWDC that Apple would begin transitioning its Macintosh computers from IBM PowerPC processors to Intel processors, a major strategic shift.
Stanford commencement speech
Delivered a widely acclaimed commencement address at Stanford University, sharing life lessons and urging graduates to 'Stay hungry. Stay foolish.'
Disney acquired Pixar
The Walt Disney Company announced it would acquire Pixar Animation Studios in an all-stock transaction valued at $7.4 billion. The deal, completed May 5, made Jobs Disney's largest individual shareholder and a member of its board.
Apple stock option investigation
Apple became embroiled in a stock option backdating scandal. An internal investigation and the SEC later cleared Jobs of misconduct, though it found he was aware of some favorable grant dates. The company had to restate earnings.
iPhone launched
Unveiled the iPhone at Macworld Conference & Expo, a revolutionary touchscreen smartphone that combined an iPod, mobile phone, and internet communicator. 'Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone.'
iPhone released
The iPhone went on sale in the US, transforming the mobile phone industry and becoming one of Apple's most successful products.
Medical leave for hormone imbalance
Announced a medical leave of absence due to a 'hormone imbalance' that was 'more complex' than originally thought. Tim Cook took over daily operations.
Liver transplant
Received a liver transplant in Memphis, Tennessee, during his medical leave. Details were kept private until after his return to Apple in June 2009.
iPad launched
Unveiled the iPad, a tablet computer that defined a new category of device between a smartphone and a laptop.
iPad released
The iPad went on sale, selling over 300,000 units on its first day and millions within months, creating a new market for tablet computers.
Addressed 'Antennagate'
Held a press conference to address antenna performance issues with the newly released iPhone 4 ('Antennagate'), acknowledging the problem and offering free bumper cases to affected customers.
Third medical leave
Announced a third medical leave of absence to 'focus on his health.' Tim Cook again stepped in as acting CEO.
Resigned as CEO
Resigned as CEO of Apple, stating he could 'no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO.' He strongly recommended Tim Cook as his successor.
Named Chairman of Apple
Became Chairman of Apple's board of directors immediately following his resignation as CEO.
Death
Died at his home in Palo Alto, California, at age 56, from complications related to the relapse of his pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Apple announced his death with the statement: 'Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being.'