Steve Jobs

 


Steve Jobs (1955–2011) was an American inventor and entrepreneur (businessman) who revolutionised the way we use computers and other technology. He is most famous for co-founding the technology company Apple, and for bringing gadgets such as the iMac, iPhone, iPod and iPad to our daily lives. For a time, Steve was also head of the computer-animation film company, Pixar. Learn more about this great businessman and innovator and enjoy using our printable resources below.

Steve Jobs

Fun Facts

  • In 2007, Steve Jobs was named the most powerful person in business by Fortune, an American business magazine.
  • In 2017, Apple was selling over 1 million iPhones a day.
  • By 23 years of age, Steve was worth over US$1 million; by 25, over US$250 million; and at the time of his death, US$8.3 billion.
  • The film Brave, produced in 2012 by Disney Pixar, was dedicated to Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs Quotes

“I want to put a ding in the universe.”

“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”
 
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

“Let’s go invent tomorrow rather than worrying about what happened yesterday.”

“My favourite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.”

A Short biography of Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was born in 1955 in San Francisco, USA, to a Syrian father and a Swiss-American mother. Steve’s birth parents were young students at the University of Wisconsin. They gave up their baby for adoption, but later married and had another child.

Steve’s adoptive father, Paul Jobs, worked as an engine-room machinist for the US Coast Guard, while his adoptive mother, Clara, was an accountant. Paul and Clara adopted another child, Patricia, in 1957. The family moved to Mountain View, California, when Steve was five – an area now known as Silicon Valley, the home of many technology companies.

As a child, Steve would spend hours with his dad in the garage, taking radios, televisions and stereos apart, and putting them back together again. He loved electronics and at 13, a friend introduced him to Steve Wozniak, an 18-year-old who lived in the neighbourhood and loved electronics too. The pair soon became firm friends.

Steve was a bright child, but found school boring and was often in trouble for playing pranks. On leaving high school, he went to Reed College in Oregon, but dropped out six months later. He took a job designing video games for a company called Atari.

When Wozniak invented his own personal computer, Steve suggested they start a company to sell it. Wozniak focused on the technical side, while Steve dealt with marketing and design. This was the 1970s, when computers were large and cumbersome. Steve wanted to make them smaller, cheaper and more efficient.

In 1976, the pair formed the company Apple Computer (which later became Apple). It is said they chose the name after spending time in an apple orchard, but it also came before Atari in the telephone book! Steve was just 21 at the time.

The pair began making computers in Steve’s garage. Their first computer, Apple I, was designed and hand-built by Wozniak, but was soon overshadowed by their second, Apple II – the first mass-produced computer to have colour graphics. Apple II was a great success and the company swiftly grew.

In 1978, Steve and his girlfriend Chrisann Brennan had a daughter, Lisa. They were both 23, but the relationship didn’t last. Steve and Wozniak’s next computers – Apple III and the Lisa (named after Steve’s daughter) – were less successful, but the Macintosh in 1984 was a big hit. Apple soon faced stiff competition from cheaper computers on the market, however, and sales declined. Steve took responsibility and resigned from Apple in 1985.

He went on to start a new company, NeXT Computer, building computers and later, computer software. In 1986, Steve also bought a graphics company, changing its name to Pixar. The company produced 3D graphics software but in 1991 were asked by Disney to create a feature film. Pixar’s first film, Toy Story, was the first computer-generated 3D-animated film and a great success. Pixar went on to produce many more such as Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., and Cars. Pixar was later sold to Disney in 2006.

In 1989, Steve was giving a lecture at the Stanford Graduate School of Business when he met his future wife, Laurene Powell, a student there. Steve and Laurene married in 1991 and had three children together, Reed (1991), Erin (1995) and Eve (1998).

When Apple bought NeXT in 1997, Steve found himself back at Apple as the boss (CEO). The company had been struggling in a competitive climate, but Steve brought fresh ideas. Apple began making new products, such as the iPod (music player) and iTunes (music software). Both were a great success restoring Apple’s reputation in the marketplace.

Steve was passionate about design, and the iPad and iPhone that followed captivated ordinary people around the world. By making the products small, user-friendly and more affordable, Steve helped to change the way we use technology for communication and entertainment. He became something of a celebrity during the 2000s.

Tragically however, Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003. He fought the disease for many years, but died in 2011, aged 56. The technology world had lost a great innovator, but his legacy lives on in the company he co-created and the way he revolutionised technology, transforming our lives forever.

Our Steve Jobs Resources

Business Logo Design Worksheet

Business Logo Design Worksheet

A logo is an important part of any business and can influence the way people think about a company. Can the children design two business logos, then choose the one they think is best?

Business Logo Research Worksheet

Business Logo Research Worksheet

Here's a fun activity to get the kids thinking about what makes a good logo. Can they draw some recognisable logos (or cut and paste them from a magazine), then compare the logos to see what they have in common. This should help them figure out what makes a good logo!

Business Name Design Worksheet

Business Name Design Worksheet

The best way to come up with a company name is to brainstorm ideas, and this fun worksheet gives the kids the chance to do just that!

Business Name Research Worksheet

Business Name Research Worksheet

Businesses get their ideas for a name from all kinds of places! Can the kids choose 4 famous companies and research how they got their name and what the name means?

Design An App Worksheet

Design An App Worksheet

App is short for "application," and is a type of computer program for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. All kinds of apps exist now, including weather, fitness and music apps, but can the children come up with a design for their own app on this fun worksheet?

Entrepreneurs Worksheet

Entrepreneurs Worksheet

You may have heard the term "entrepreneur" before, but can the kids explain what one is, name some famous entrepreneurs and talk about the skills needed to become one? Do the children think they would make a good entrepreneur themselves? Let them answer this worksheet and find out!

Famous Entrepreneurs Word Search

Famous Entrepreneurs Word Search

There are 16 famous entrepreneurs hidden in our word search for the kids to find. Once they've found them, perhaps you can discuss the different businesses they founded? 

Famous Entrepreneurs Worksheet

Famous Entrepreneurs Worksheet

Can the children list 3 famous entrepreneurs and the businesses they founded, then answer some detailed questions on one of these entrepreneurs on this fact-finding worksheet? 

Have Computers Made The World Better Worksheet

Have Computers Made The World Better Worksheet

Computers are such a big part of our daily lives it's hard to imagine how our lives would be like without them! This worksheet asks the children to consider if computers really have made the world better...

Have Smartphones Made The World Better Worksheet

Have Smartphones Made The World Better Worksheet

Love them or hate them, smartphones are part of our modern world. Can the children list two good things and two bad things about smartphones, then discuss if they have made the world a better place and why?

History of Computers Timeline Worksheet

History of Computers Timeline Worksheet

Computers have evolved relatively quickly from the earliest machines to the advanced computers we use today for surfing the internet, working and playing games. Can the kids find out the history of computers and mark the important events on this History of Computers timeline worksheet?

Life Without Computers Writing Prompt

Life Without Computers Writing Prompt

It's hard to imagine a world without computers, but we've asked the kids to do just that on this worksheet. What tasks would be difficult to do, and would our lives be better without them?

Life Without Smartphones Interview

Life Without Smartphones Interview

It's hard for children today to imagine what life was like before smartphones! This worksheet encourages them to talk to someone older about what life was like before smartphones existed...

Life Without Smartphones Worksheet

Life Without Smartphones Worksheet

We all use our smartphones for all kinds of daily activities. Can the kids brainstorm some ideas of what we use our smartphones for and write them down on the screen?

Life Without Smartphones Writing Prompt

Life Without Smartphones Writing Prompt

There's no doubt that smartphones are a huge part of modern life, but can the children write about what life would be like without them? What would be better, and what would be more difficult?

Steve Jobs Comprehension

Steve Jobs Comprehension

Practise your comprehension skills by reading the interesting passage all about Steve Jobs, one of the founders of Apple Computer, then answering the questions at the end.

Steve Jobs Factsheet

Steve Jobs Factsheet

You've probably used an Apple iPhone, computer or some other Apple technology before, but how much do you know about Steve Jobs, the man who founded the company and revolutionised much of the technology we use today?

Steve Jobs Interview Worksheet

Steve Jobs Interview Worksheet

We reckon Steve Jobs would have some great career advice to offer! What would you ask him if you got the chance to interview him? Write your questions in the speech bubbles...

Steve Jobs Newpaper Writing Prompt

Steve Jobs Newpaper Writing Prompt

Perhaps you could use this Steve Jobs Newspaper Writing Prompt to write about the release of one of the first Apple computers or phones? 

Steve Jobs Poster

Steve Jobs Poster

Here's a poster of Steve Jobs holding an iphone and wearing an apple logo sweatshirt! Fun for displays...

Steve Jobs Quote Poster

Steve Jobs Quote Poster

Steve Jobs said “Let’s go invent tomorrow rather than worrying about what happened yesterday” when he was reinstated as head of Apple Computers. We've turned his quote into an inspirational poster for the classroom, home or workplace...

Steve Jobs Quote Worksheet

Steve Jobs Quote Worksheet

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." Can the kids show their understanding of this quote by Steve Jobs, firstly by writing a short explanation then by rewriting it in their own words?

Steve Jobs Story Paper

Steve Jobs Story Paper

Write about Steve Jobs and his incredible career on this story paper, then colour in his picture too. Available in two versions: lined, and with handwriting lines.

Steve Jobs Timeline Worksheet

Steve Jobs Timeline Worksheet

Can the children find out when Steve Jobs started Apple Computer? And when he introduced the first iPhone? You can add these important dates, and others too onto our Steve Jobs timeline worksheet. 

Steve Jobs Worksheet

Steve Jobs Worksheet

There are two big clues on our cartoon picture of Steve Jobs to help the kids answer "What was Steve Jobs famous for" (one is on his jumper)! They'll still need to do a little research to help answer all the fact-finding questions on the worksheet...

Steve Jobs Writing Page

Steve Jobs Writing Page

This writing page features Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc. Use this page for a biography or to collect facts.

The World's First Computer Programmer

Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace

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