History of Steve Jobs in Timeline
Steve Jobs, a pivotal figure in the personal computer revolution, co-founded Apple Inc. in 1976. Following his departure from Apple in 1985, he established NeXT and acquired Pixar, leading it to animation success. He returned to Apple as CEO in 1997, spearheading the development and marketing of iconic products like the iPhone and iPad, transforming Apple into one of the world's most valuable companies. Jobs resigned from Apple in 2011 and passed away shortly after, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and design.
February 1946: Marriage of Paul Jobs and Clara Hagopian
In February 1946, Paul Jobs and Clara Hagopian married in San Francisco, marking the start of their life together before adopting Steve Jobs.
February 24, 1955: Birth of Steve Jobs
On February 24, 1955, Steven Paul Jobs was born. He would later become an influential figure in the personal computer revolution.
1955: Adoption of Steve Jobs
In 1955, Steve Jobs was adopted by Paul Reinhold Jobs and his wife Clara, after initial hesitation from his biological mother, Schieble.
1955: Birth and Adoption
In 1955, Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco and was soon after adopted, beginning his life journey.
1957: Adoption of Patricia
In 1957, Paul and Clara Jobs adopted Patricia, Steve Jobs's sister, expanding their family.
1959: Family Move to Monta Loma
In 1959, the Jobs family moved to the Monta Loma neighborhood in Mountain View, California, marking a new chapter in their lives.
1962: Schieble and Jandali Divorce
In 1962, Joanne Schieble and Abdulfattah Jandali divorced.
1967: Purchase of New Home
In 1967, the Jobs family bought a new home in Los Altos, California, allowing Steve to change schools.
1968: Summer Job at Hewlett-Packard
In 1968, Steve Jobs was given a summer job by Bill Hewlett of Hewlett-Packard after Jobs cold-called him to ask for parts.
1968: First Year at Homestead High School
In late 1968, Steve Jobs began his first year at Homestead High School and met Steve Wozniak through Bill Fernandez.
1970: Change in Interests
Around 1970, Steve Jobs began to explore music and literature, in addition to science and technology.
1970: Schieble Raises Mona Alone in Los Angeles
In 1970, after divorcing her second husband, Schieble took Mona to Los Angeles and raised her alone.
October 1971: Inspiration from "Secrets of the Little Blue Box"
In October 1971, Wozniak was inspired by an article titled "Secrets of the Little Blue Box" from the October 1971 issue of Esquire.
1971: Visits to UC Berkeley and Stanford
In 1971, after Wozniak began attending University of California, Berkeley, Jobs would visit him there a few times a week. This experience led him to study in nearby Stanford University's student union.
September 1972: Enrollment at Reed College
In September 1972, Jobs enrolled at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, beginning his brief stint in higher education.
1972: Attendance and Withdrawal from Reed College
In 1972, Steve Jobs attended Reed College before withdrawing later that same year, marking a brief period in his formal education.
1972: LSD Usage and Graduation
In 1972, nearing the end of his senior year of high school, Jobs began using LSD. In mid-1972, after graduation, Jobs rented a house with Chrisann Brennan and another roommate.
September 1973: Death of Neem Karoli Baba
In September 1973, Neem Karoli Baba died before Jobs could visit him at his Kainchi ashram.
1973: Wozniak Designs Pong Version
In 1973, Steve Wozniak designed his own version of the classic video game Pong and gave its electronics board to Jobs.
February 1974: Return Home and Job at Atari
In February 1974, Jobs returned to his parents' home and was hired by Atari, Inc. as a computer technician.
1974: Travels to India
In 1974, Jobs traveled to India with Daniel Kottke to visit Neem Karoli Baba at his Kainchi ashram, searching for spiritual teachings.
1975: Designing Breakout at Atari
In 1975, Jobs was assigned to create a circuit board for the arcade video game Breakout at Atari, enlisting Wozniak's help.
1975: Homebrew Computer Club and Arrest
In 1975, Steve Jobs attended meetings of the Homebrew Computer Club, a pivotal step towards developing the first Apple computer. Also in 1975, Jobs claimed he was arrested in Eugene, Oregon for allegedly being a minor in possession of alcohol and having an unpaid speeding ticket.
March 1976: Wozniak Completes Apple I Design
In March 1976, Wozniak completed the basic design of the Apple I computer and showed it to Jobs, who suggested that they sell it.
April 1, 1976: Founding of Apple Computer Company
On April 1, 1976, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne founded Apple Computer Company (now called Apple Inc.) as a business partnership in Jobs's parents' home.
1976: Co-founding Apple to Sell Apple I
In 1976, Jobs and Wozniak co-founded Apple to develop and sell Wozniak's Apple I personal computer.
1976: Co-founding of Apple
In 1976, Steve Jobs co-founded Apple Inc. (originally Apple Computer Company) with Steve Wozniak, marking the beginning of their journey in the personal computer industry.
February 1977: Mike Scott Appointed as Apple CEO
In February 1977, Mike Scott from National Semiconductor was recruited to serve as the first president and CEO of Apple, a decision that displeased Steve Jobs.
April 1977: Introduction of the Apple II
In April 1977, Jobs and Wozniak introduced the Apple II at the West Coast Computer Faire, marking Apple Computer's first consumer product. It went on to become one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products in the world.
June 10, 1977: Apple II first sold
The Apple II, an 8-bit home computer designed primarily by Wozniak and overseen by Jobs, was first sold on June 10, 1977.
October 1977: Brennan's Pregnancy and Tensions with Jobs
In October 1977, Chrisann Brennan realized she was pregnant with Steve Jobs's child, leading to strained relations. She turned down an internship at Apple and decided to leave the company.
May 17, 1978: Birth of Lisa Brennan
On May 17, 1978, Chrisann Brennan gave birth to Lisa Brennan at the All One Farm commune, while Jobs was 23. Jobs initially denied paternity but later worked with Brennan on naming the baby.
1978: Development of Lisa begins
In 1978, Apple began developing the Lisa, a personal computer aimed at business users that featured a graphical user interface.
1978: Jobs Becomes a Millionaire
In 1978, at age 23, Steve Jobs's net worth exceeded $1 million.
1979: Seeing the Potential of Xerox Alto
In 1979, Steve Jobs recognized the commercial potential of the Xerox Alto, which influenced the development of future Apple products.
1981: Jobs Takes Over Macintosh Development
In 1981, Jobs took over the development of the Macintosh project from Jef Raskin.
1982: Apartment Purchase at The San Remo
In 1982, Jobs bought an apartment on the top two floors of The San Remo in Manhattan and renovated it.
1982: Jobs takes over the Macintosh project
In 1982, Steve Jobs took over the Macintosh project after being forced out of the Lisa project, incorporating inspiration from the Lisa.
January 3, 1983: Time Magazine's "Machine of the Year" and Paternity Dispute
On January 3, 1983, Time magazine released its "Machine of the Year" issue, featuring an article about Steve Jobs's paternity dispute and his questioning of the reliability of a DNA test that indicated a 94.1% probability of him being Lisa Brennan's father.
1983: Development of Apple Lisa
In 1983, Apple developed the Apple Lisa, a computer that was largely unsuccessful, marking a challenging phase in the company's history.
1983: Hiring John Sculley as Apple's CEO
In 1983, Jobs successfully recruited John Sculley from Pepsi-Cola to become Apple's CEO.
January 22, 1984: Apple Airs "1984" Super Bowl Commercial
On January 22, 1984, Apple aired the "1984" Super Bowl television commercial to promote the Macintosh.
January 24, 1984: Introduction of the Macintosh
On January 24, 1984, Steve Jobs introduced the Macintosh at Apple's annual shareholders meeting at De Anza College.
1984: Purchase of the Jackling House
In 1984, Steve Jobs purchased the Jackling House and estate, where he resided for a decade.
1984: Launch of Macintosh
In 1984, the Macintosh was launched as the first mass-produced computer with a graphical user interface, revolutionizing the personal computer industry.
January 1985: Apple's Annual Meeting Omits Apple II
In January 1985, Apple's annual meeting did not mention the Apple II division, despite its products accounting for 85% of the company's sales. This led to frustration and the departure of employees like Steve Wozniak.
May 1985: Sculley Reorganizes Apple
In May 1985, John Sculley decided to reorganize Apple, removing Jobs from the Macintosh group and placing him in charge of "New Product Development".
September 17, 1985: Jobs Resigns from Apple
On September 17, 1985, Steve Jobs submitted his resignation to the Apple Board, and five other senior Apple employees resigned to join him in his new venture, NeXT.
1985: Departure from Apple and Founding of NeXT
In 1985, Jobs left Apple after a power struggle and founded NeXT, a computer platform development company.
1985: Microsoft Threatens to Halt Mac App Development
In 1985, Microsoft threatened to stop developing Mac applications unless granted a license for the Mac operating system software, leading to future problems for Apple.
1985: Jobs's comment on money
In 1985, Steve Jobs said, "You know, my main reaction to this money thing is that it's humorous, all the attention to it, because it's hardly the most insightful or valuable thing that's happened to me."
1985: Jobs starts NeXT
In 1985, after being forced out of Apple, Steve Jobs started NeXT, a workstation computer company.
1985: Desktop Publishing Industry Launched
In 1985, the desktop publishing industry was launched with the Apple LaserWriter and Aldus PageMaker.
1986: Clara Jobs diagnosed with Lung Cancer
In 1986, Clara Jobs was diagnosed with lung cancer, which led Steve Jobs to spend time with her and learn more about his adoption, motivating him to find his biological mother.
1986: Purchase of Pixar
In 1986, Jobs bought the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm, which became Pixar, marking his entry into the animation industry.
1986: Jobs contacts Joanne Schieble after Clara's death
In 1986, Steve Jobs contacted his biological mother, Joanne Schieble, after the death of his adoptive mother Clara and after receiving permission from his adoptive father, Paul.
October 12, 1988: NeXT computer launch
On October 12, 1988, Steve Jobs showcased the NeXT computer at a lavish, invitation-only gala launch event held at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, California. The event was considered Jobs's comeback and was described as a multimedia extravaganza.
1988: NeXT Computer introduced
In 1988, The NeXT Computer was introduced at a lavish launch event.
1989: First meeting with Laurene Powell
In 1989, Steve Jobs first met his future wife, Laurene Powell, when he gave a lecture at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
1990: Jobs Proposed to Laurene Powell
On New Year's Day 1990, Jobs proposed to Laurene Powell.
March 18, 1991: Marriage to Laurene Powell
On March 18, 1991, Steve Jobs and Laurene Powell married in a Buddhist ceremony at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park.
1991: Birth of son Reed
In 1991, Reed, the first child of Steve Jobs and Laurene Powell, was born.
1992: Simpson Fictionalized the search for their father in her novel The Lost Father.
In 1992, Mona Simpson fictionalized the search for their father in her novel The Lost Father.
March 5, 1993: Death of Paul Jobs
On March 5, 1993, Jobs's father, Paul, passed away.
1994: Interview on Blue Boxes
In a 1994 interview, Jobs recalled that it took six months for him and Wozniak to design the blue boxes. He attributed some of his success to Wozniak's blue boxes, because "there wouldn't have been an Apple".
1995: Birth of daughter Erin
In 1995, Erin, daughter to Steve Jobs and Laurene Powell, was born.
1995: Pixar Releases Toy Story
In 1995, Pixar released Toy Story, the first computer-animated feature film, achieving commercial and critical success.
October 6, 1997: Michael Dell's comments about Apple
On October 6, 1997, at a Gartner Symposium, Michael Dell was asked what he would do if he ran the then-troubled Apple Computer company, and he said he would shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders.
1997: Return to Apple as CEO
In 1997, Steve Jobs returned to Apple as CEO after the company's acquisition of NeXT, revitalizing the company.
1997: Return to Apple and Elimination of Philanthropic Programs
Upon his 1997 return to Apple, Jobs optimized the failing company to the core, such as eliminating all philanthropic programs, never to be restored.
1998: Introduction of Apple's iMac G3
In 1998, Apple's iMac G3 was introduced, featuring an innovative design that was a direct result of Steve Jobs's return to Apple.
1998: Birth of daughter Eve Jobs
In 1998, Eve Jobs, daughter to Steve Jobs and Laurene Powell, was born.
1998: Apple phases out the Macintosh name
Since 1998, Apple has phased out the Macintosh name in favor of "Mac", though the product family has been nicknamed "Mac" or "the Mac" since inception.
1999: Board Member at Gap Inc.
From 1999, Steve Jobs was a board member at Gap Inc.
1999: Apple introduces the Graphite gray Apple iMac
In 1999, Apple introduced the Graphite gray Apple iMac and since has varied the shape, color and size considerably while maintaining the all-in-one design.
2000: Neglect of the Jackling House
In 2000, Jobs stopped maintaining the Jackling House, leading to its degradation.
October 23, 2001: First generation of iPod released
On October 23, 2001, the first generation of the iPod was released, featuring a small size due to its 1.8" hard drive. It sold for US$399, and more than 100,000 iPods were sold before the end of 2001. The introduction of the iPod resulted in Apple becoming a major player in the music industry.
2002: End of Board Membership at Gap Inc.
In 2002, Steve Jobs concluded his tenure as a board member at Gap Inc.
2003: Diagnosis of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor
In 2003, Steve Jobs was diagnosed with a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, marking the beginning of his health challenges.
July 2004: Jobs undergoes surgery for pancreatic cancer
In July 2004, Steve Jobs underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as the "Whipple procedure," to remove a cancerous tumor from his pancreas. This surgery was performed after he initially pursued alternative treatments for nine months.
2004: Demolition Approval for the Jackling House
In 2004, Jobs obtained permission to demolish the Jackling House in Woodside.
2005: Apple began work on the first iPhone
In 2005, Apple began work on the first iPhone.
2005: Stanford Commencement Speech
In a 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University, Jobs reflected on his decision to drop out of college and audit classes, including a calligraphy course that influenced the Mac's design.
January 2006: Cancer recurrence known to a select few
In January 2006, only Steve Jobs's wife, his doctors, and Bob Iger knew that his cancer had returned.
August 2006: Jobs's appearance at WWDC sparks health concerns
In early August 2006, Steve Jobs delivered the keynote at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). His thin appearance and listless delivery led to speculation about his health, though some attendees said he looked fine. Apple spokesperson maintained that "Steve's health is robust".
December 29, 2006: Completion of Apple's internal investigation
On December 29, 2006, an independent internal Apple investigation found that Steve Jobs was unaware of issues related to backdated stock options granted to him and that the options were returned without being exercised in 2003.
June 29, 2007: Introduction of the iPhone
On June 29, 2007, Apple entered the cellular phone business with the introduction of the iPhone, a multi-touch display cell phone, which also included the features of an iPod and revolutionized the mobile browsing scene.
2007: Apple listed among "America's least philanthropic companies"
In 2007, Stanford Social Innovation Review magazine listed Apple among "America's least philanthropic companies".
July 1, 2008: Class action suit filed against Apple board members
On July 1, 2008, a $7 billion class action suit was filed against several members of the Apple board of directors for revenue lost because of alleged securities fraud.
July 2008: Release of iPhone 3G
In July 2008, the iPhone 3G was released. It featured support for GPS, 3G data, and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA.
August 28, 2008: Bloomberg mistakenly publishes Jobs's obituary
On August 28, 2008, Bloomberg mistakenly published Steve Jobs's obituary, which intensified rumors about his health. The error was quickly rectified.
September 2008: Jobs quells death rumors
In September 2008, Steve Jobs responded to the false reports of his death at Apple's Let's Rock keynote, quoting Mark Twain. At a media event, he shared his blood pressure, signaling he would not answer more health questions.
December 16, 2008: Phil Schiller to deliver Macworld keynote
On December 16, 2008, Apple announced that Phil Schiller would deliver the keynote address at Macworld Conference and Expo 2009, reviving questions about Steve Jobs's health.
2008: Health concerns following 2008 WWDC Keynote Address
In 2008, concerns arose after Steve Jobs's WWDC keynote address. Apple officials attributed it to a "common bug," while others speculated about the Whipple procedure. During a July conference call, Apple insisted it was a "private matter".
January 5, 2009: Jobs cites hormone imbalance
On January 5, 2009, Steve Jobs stated he had been suffering from a "hormone imbalance" for several months.
January 14, 2009: Jobs announces six-month leave of absence
On January 14, 2009, Steve Jobs announced a six-month leave of absence to focus on his health. Tim Cook became acting CEO, with Jobs still involved in major decisions.
June 2009: Introduction of iPhone 3GS
In June 2009, Phil Schiller introduced the iPhone 3GS, which featured improvements like voice control, a better camera, and a faster processor.
June 2009: End of leave of absence
In June 2009, Steve Jobs's six-month leave of absence ended.
April 3, 2010: Release of the First iPad
On April 3, 2010, the first iPad was released. It is an iOS-based line of tablet computers designed and marketed by Apple.
2010: Jobs declined to sign The Giving Pledge
In 2010, Steve Jobs declined to sign The Giving Pledge, launched by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates for fellow billionaires.
2010: iPhone included in the All-TIME 100 Gadgets list
In 2010, Time included the iPhone in the All-TIME 100 Gadgets list in the category of Communication.
August 24, 2011: Jobs resigns as Apple CEO
On August 24, 2011, Steve Jobs announced his resignation as Apple's CEO due to his inability to meet the duties and expectations. He became chairman of the board, with Tim Cook as his successor. Jobs continued to work for Apple until the day before his death.
October 5, 2011: Death of Steve Jobs
On October 5, 2011, Steve Jobs passed away after a battle with a tumor. His death marked the end of an era for the tech industry.
October 7, 2011: Private funeral held for Jobs
On October 7, 2011, a small, private funeral was held for Steve Jobs, with details kept private out of respect for his family.
October 2011: Introduction of iPhone 4s
In October 2011, the iPhone 4s was introduced with a major feature of Siri, a virtual assistant capable of voice recognition.
October 16, 2011: "Steve Jobs Day" declared in California; memorial held at Stanford
On October 16, 2011, California Governor Jerry Brown declared it "Steve Jobs Day". An invitation-only memorial was held at Stanford University for Steve Jobs, with performances by Bono, Yo-Yo Ma, and Joan Baez. Each attendee received a copy of the Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda as a farewell gift.
October 19, 2011: Private memorial service held at Apple
On October 19, 2011, Apple employees held a private memorial service for Steve Jobs at the Apple campus in Cupertino. It was attended by his widow, Laurene, Tim Cook, Bill Campbell, Norah Jones, Al Gore, and Coldplay. Some Apple retail stores closed briefly, and a video of the service was uploaded to Apple's website.
2011: Death of Steve Jobs
In 2011, Steve Jobs died of tumor-related respiratory arrest, ending his influential career.
2011: Demolition of the Jackling House
In 2011, the Jackling House was finally demolished, a few months before Steve Jobs's death.
2013: Crist Drive Home Declared Historic Site
In 2013, the Jobs family home on Crist Drive was declared a historic site as the first site of Apple Computer.
April 2015: iPad Sales Milestone
As of April 2015, more than 250 million iPads had been sold.
2022: Posthumous Award of Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2022, Steve Jobs was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his contributions to society.
2025: Value of Atari's Offer
According to Bushnell, in 1975 Atari offered $100 (equivalent to about $600 in 2025) for each TTL chip that was eliminated in the machine.
2025: Equivalent Value in 2025
In 2025, $1 million in 1978 is equivalent to $4.94 million.
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