Early Life and Education of Steve Wozniak: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Steve Wozniak. A timeline of key moments.

Stephen Gary Wozniak, nicknamed "Woz," is an American technology entrepreneur, electrical engineer, computer programmer, and inventor. He co-founded Apple Computer with Steve Jobs in 1976. Wozniak's work at Apple in the 1970s and 1980s established him as a key figure in the personal computer revolution, recognized for his technical expertise and innovative designs.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1923: Birth of Margaret Louise Wozniak

In 1923, Margaret Louise Wozniak (née Kern), Steve Wozniak's mother, was born.

1925: Birth of Francis Jacob "Jerry" Wozniak

In 1925, Francis Jacob "Jerry" Wozniak, Steve Wozniak's father, was born.

August 11, 1950: Stephen Gary Wozniak's Birth

On August 11, 1950, Stephen Gary Wozniak was born in San Jose, California, to Margaret Louise Wozniak and Francis Jacob 'Jerry' Wozniak.

1968: Graduation from Homestead High School

In 1968, Wozniak graduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino, California.

1969: Return to the San Francisco Bay Area

In 1969, Wozniak returned to the San Francisco Bay Area after being expelled from the University of Colorado Boulder for hacking the university's computer system.

1971: First Meeting with Steve Jobs

In 1971, during his college years, Steve Wozniak first met Steve Jobs through a mutual friend who thought they would connect due to their shared interest in electronics and pranks.

1971: Design and Build of First Computer

In June 1971, Wozniak designed and built his first computer with his friend Bill Fernandez as a self-taught engineering project.

April 1, 1976: Formation of Apple Computer Company

On April 1, 1976, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne officially formed the Apple Computer Company, now known as Apple Inc.

1976: Co-founding of Apple Computer

In 1976, Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple Computer with Steve Jobs, marking a pivotal moment in the personal computer revolution.

1979: Initiation into Freemasons

In 1979, Steve Wozniak joined the Freemasons to spend more time with his then-wife, Alice Robertson. He was initiated at Charity Lodge No. 362 in Campbell, California, now part of Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 292 in Los Gatos.

1980: Apple Goes Public

In 1980, Apple went public, resulting in significant financial profitability and making Jobs and Wozniak millionaires.

February 7, 1981: Plane Crash

On February 7, 1981, the Beechcraft Bonanza A36TC piloted by Steve Wozniak crashed after takeoff from Sky Park Airport in Scotts Valley, California, resulting in injuries to Wozniak and his three passengers. Wozniak suffered severe face and head injuries, including anterograde amnesia. The NTSB cited premature liftoff and pilot inexperience as probable causes.

June 1981: Marriage to Candice Clark

In June 1981, Steve Wozniak married slalom canoe gold-medalist Candice Clark.

1981: Jobs Takes Over Macintosh Project

In 1981, Steve Jobs took over the Macintosh project after Wozniak's brief departure from Apple due to an airplane accident.

May 1982: First US Festival

In May 1982, Steve Wozniak, with help from Bill Graham, founded Unuson and sponsored the first US Festival, intended to celebrate evolving technologies with a mix of music, computers, television, and people.

1984: Creation of the 'Zaltair' Brochure

In 1984, Wozniak printed fake brochures of a non-existent product called 'Zaltair' as a joke, featuring superlative descriptions of a computer that solved every problem in the world.

1985: Wozniak Leaves Apple

In 1985, Wozniak permanently left Apple to pursue other ventures.

1990: Electronic Frontier Foundation Founding

In 1990, Steve Wozniak helped found the Electronic Frontier Foundation and provided initial funding.

2008: Relationship with Kathy Griffin

In 2008, Steve Wozniak had a high-profile relationship with actress Kathy Griffin, who described him as "the biggest techno-nerd in the Universe".

October 2011: Death of Steve Jobs

In October 2011, Steve Jobs passed away, Steve Wozniak maintained a friendly relationship with Steve Jobs until his death.

2013: Wozniak's Statement on Jobs Taking Over the Macintosh Project

In a 2013 interview, Wozniak recounted that in 1981, Steve Jobs took over the Macintosh project after his plane crash.

2015: Silicon Valley Comic Con Announced

In 2015, Steve Wozniak announced the annual Silicon Valley Comic Con (SVCC) event with Stan Lee.

2017: Wozniak Expresses Disdain for Money and Receives Polish Citizenship

In 2017, Steve Wozniak told Fortune magazine about his aversion to money and how it could corrupt values. Also in 2017, he received Polish citizenship and visited Poland to meet with government and technology industry representatives, as well as to visit his father’s ancestral hometown.

December 2018: Woz U Licensed as a School

As of December 2018, Woz U was licensed as a school with the Arizona state board.

November 2023: Wozniak Suffers Minor Stroke

In November 2023, Wozniak suffered a minor stroke while preparing to speak at a conference in Mexico City. He was briefly hospitalized before returning home.

December 2023: Wozniak Granted Serbian Citizenship

In early December 2023, Steve Wozniak spoke at a conference in Belgrade, Serbia, where he was granted Serbian citizenship through a “Citizenship by Exception” program. He expressed strong support for Serbia.

June 2024: Wozniak's Current Engagements

As of June 2024, Steve Wozniak continues to fund entrepreneurial efforts in diverse fields and holds ceremonial employment at Apple, along with Polish and Serbian citizenship.