Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs (born Steven Paul Jobs on February 24, 1955) is the Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Apple Inc. In 1986, he acquired the computer graphics division of LucasFilms Ltd which was spun off as Pixar Animation Studios. He remained its CEO and majority shareholder until its acquisition by the Walt Disney Company in 2006. Jobs is currently the Walt Disney Company's largest individual shareholder and a member of its Board of Directors. He is considered a leading figure in both the computer and entertainment industries. Steve Jobs was listed as Fortune Magazine's Most Powerful Businessman of 2007, beating out 25 other business leaders.

Jobs' history in business has contributed greatly to the myths of the quirky, individualistic Silicon Valley entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of design while understanding the crucial role aesthetics play in public appeal. His work driving forward the development of products that are both functional and elegant has earned him a devoted following.

Jobs, with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, helped popularize the personal computer in the late '70s. In the early '80s, still at Apple, Jobs was among the first to see the commercial potential of the mouse-driven GUI. After losing a power struggle with the board of directors in 1985, Jobs resigned from Apple and founded NeXT, a computer platform development company specializing in the higher education and business markets. NeXT's subsequent 1997 buyout by Apple Inc brought Jobs back to the company he co-founded, and he has served as its CEO ever since.