Steve Jobs: The End of an Era
Steve Jobs, founder of Apple and the godfather of personal computing has died aged 56.
Be it the way we listen to music, browse the internet, share experiences, read a book, make a purchase, Steve has had a monumental impact on the world today. Steve set many of the foundations of modern day life with the Mac, revolutionised communication with the iPhone and brought entertainment to the masses with the iPod and iPad.
“People don’t know what they want until you show it to them”
Steve did not invent the computer, but he made it personal. Without his innovation, enthusiasm and vision, it’s hard to imagine that the Google’s and Facebook’s of this world would have came into being. He and Apple were not the first to Silicon Valley, but the impact he had in creating an entire market is profound.
His eye for design and strive for perfection was unrivalled and shone through in all of the products Apple released. Since passing, American film producer Stephen Spielberg described him as “the greatest inventor since Thomas Edison. He put the world at our fingertips.”
Steve’s achievements don’t end with Apple. In 1995 his digital animation company Pixar released Toy Story, one of the highest grossing children’s films of all time. At the time Toy Story was released, it was a big gamble; there had never before been a feature length film done entirely through computer animation. Pixar was a catalyst in many ways, it created some of the most classic children’s films of this generation including Monsters Inc., A Bugs Life, Up, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall-E and Cars, as well as opening up the genre of digitally animated children’s films, inspiring such works as Shrek, Madagascar, Happy Feet and Bee Movie. To this day, Pixar still remains the undisputed champion of digital animation.
Can Apple go on without him? Yes. The road will be bumpy, but Steve ingrained his personality into the company, he was and still is the face of Apple. There have been very few leaders throughout history who have had such a deep impact on their colleagues, followers and their industry. Yesterday, the world lost one of the most extraordinary visionaries in their field, but although his life is over, his legacy will live on and continue to change people’s lives for the better: Steven Paul Jobs, your legacy will not be forgotten here.
UT Founder’s Reaction – Charlie Hilton:
Everyday I wake up and the first thing that my hand gravitates toward is my iPhone, my early morning mood depends largely on what my phone has to offer me in my ‘Mail’. My next port of call is my Mac computer, which is probably strewn somewhere on my bed from my midnight web surfing. Surely the phrase “you are the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing when I sleep” should be reserved for a partner-in-love? Well I suppose it is really. It is safe to say I am an Apple addict and there are many reasons for this. By creating some of the most gorgeous technological products know to man, Apple Inc. is a figurehead for good (read: stunning) design the world over. Jobs and his army of faithful comrades were always breaking down barriers through new product innovation and epic accompanying speeches – carving the way for the future of tech and mankind as well. The ease of use across all of their products supersedes competition too and I often feel, when using another companies’ goods, that I have been sent backwards in time in comparison.
It is this combination of things that helped myself and my team formulate what was to become our company ethos: Optimistic Forward-Thinking. We knew, from Jobs’ formidable blueprint, that a meeting of great design, ease of function and ambitious and far-reaching targets, that future success was within our reach. The passing away of Steve Jobs hit home hard, it was a hugely solemn moment for the Urban Times camp as our hero, our icon, our paragon of forward-thinking was no longer present. We felt it best to see the moment differently now though, as Steve would have wanted, and his passing is only going to push us harder to achieve an impact even one-millionth of his. If that were to be the case, we know we’ve done a good job of this thing called life. Although we have lost one of the most important men of our generation, fortunately his work is so deeply ingrained in our global culture that he can still guide us all to do better, to do more and to do greater in the years to come. I wish I had met you, Steve, rest well.
UT Founder’s Reaction – Alex Phillips:
I am a second generation apple beneficiary. The first iPod wooed me with its wonders. Later, I was persuaded into the Apple camp as I bought my first MacBook Pro. Since then I have never looked back. Glance a snapshot taken at our office meetings – courtesy of the iPhone – and you may be fooled into thinking this is a staged advertisement for Apple. This was a man who knew how to make breathtaking products. The technological revolution which Steve Jobs pioneered is a marvel of human ingenuity, a well-laid stepping stone on our shared journey into a fully globalised world, and a testament to one man’s vision.
His ability to inspire was second to none. Without the belief he instilled in tens of thousands of employees and hundreds of millions of consumers vying for the next product, his vision would have remained a dream. It is here that I feel I have been most deeply impacted by the man. I, like so many others, have watched in awe over a decade of his presentations again and again, if only to learn what I can from his methods. I will take what I learned, from a man I wish I had known, and use it to make every day count.
UT Chief Technical Officer’s Reaction – Rory Gilchrist:
Ever since I first saw Steve Jobs speak at D5 in 2007 – I was captivated and inspired. His self-belief and his own vision was breathtaking. Steve’s conviction has been a motivating force in my life and has lead me to strive as hard as I can to achieve. The company he founded has also become an important part of my life, from my MacBook for my work, to my iPad for entertainment, life just wouldn’t be the same without them. I believe future generations, myself included, will be speaking to their children about Steve Jobs, placing him alongside some of the greatest minds ever have to lived; men like Einstein, Thomas Edison, George Stephenson, Isaac Newton and Leonardo Da Vinci, among many others. Although I didn’t know the man, he has had a profound effect on me and I wish his family and friends all the best at this difficult time.
Important Quotes:
Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. 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.
By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.
The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve’s wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him.
President Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States
I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work. Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives. 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 honor. I will miss Steve immensely.
Bill Gates, Founder and Chairman of Microsoft
Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture he defined. Steve was such an “original,” with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started. With his passing the world has lost a rare original, Disney has lost a member of our family, and I have lost a great friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laurene and his children during this difficult time.
Bob Iger, CEO Walt Disney Company
Great man
Came from the heart
Very much so. I mean everything I said. Truly a great loss.
Ditto.
A very fitting and appropriate tribute.
"he changed the way each of us sees the world." indeed. Rest in peace.
a lovely tribute
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