Throughout 2023 we’re shining a light on some of those who inspire us throughout history and from around the world. Pioneers in science, technology, music, sport and beyond!
These incredible people can be found highlighted on our website home page too, but in these articles, we take a closer look at their stories and why we’re celebrating them.
We begin with one of the pioneers of the Personal Computer revolution, Steve Jobs.
Born in San Francisco, 1955, Steve was adopted at an early age and even dropped out of college before joining Atari Corp. to work on video games!
He went on to join Stephen Wozniak in 1976 in co-founding Apple Computer (now Apple Inc.) and, by the age of 21, launched the first Apple computer. This became one of the 1977 “Trinity” that helped to revolutionise public perception of the Personal Computer from giant industrial machines to something that could sit in your home.
Fast forward to 1984 and Apple (which Steve, as of 1980, is now Chairman of) releases the Macintosh, introducing the graphical user interface and mouse technology that (with some revisions) we still use today!
Steve leaves Apple in ’85, following management conflicts, but returns in ’96, becoming CEO in 1997.
In 1998 Apple releases the iMac which proves incredibly popular and a boon for Apple. This could be considered a turning point for the company, which goes on to become one of the most valuable in the world. Under his leadership the iPod, iPhone and iPad are released.
Following a long battle with cancer, Steve steps down as CEO of Apple in 2011 and sadly passed away in October 2011.
“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently – they’re not fond of rules. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them, because they change things…
They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do.”
What Steve means to us.
We’ve given a highly condensed biography of Steve Jobs’ life and legacy and we’d need more than one complete article to properly explore everything he’s had a hand in.
Here we’ll explain why Steve’s work inspires us so. From the advent of the home PC in 1977 to the launch of the first iPhone that has defined smart phone technology since 2007, Steve has shaped the technology we use. A true digital pioneer.
It’s not just the functional advancements that should be recognised, however. Many of these products could be considered works of technological art, providing end users a cohesive interface both in software and hardware that has proven massively popular for decades and are said to “just work”.
At gravity9, we champion the same. Combining art and science are how we bring our clients’ visions to life. We consider it critical not just to understand the functional requirements – what something should do – but also how it is used – such that end users find the experience powerful but also elegant, fluid, and intuitive.
“Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.”
Recognising flaws can be a powerful route to growth and this is a good time to acknowledge the elephant in the room: for all Steve’s ability to push technological boundaries, he’s also been said to be very difficult work – mistreating his colleagues and peers. This is not something we aspire to.
However, referencing the quote above, we at gravity9, do value every part of our business and our teams. We play well together, with experienced professionals fostering a culture of respect, and a freedom to express opinions and ideas so that the work we do, and the products we build create momentum for your organisation.
There’s great wisdom in the stance “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”.
“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”
A two-pronged lesson.
The first part reminds us to always be curious… to learn… to grow. The landscape of technology is always evolving and changing, it would be remiss of us to think we know it all, and so this is something we practice and invest in to ensure we’re always on top our game and remain challengers of ourselves.
The second part – “stay foolish” – tells us that it’s OK to experiment, be brave and try new things, push boundaries and ask the questions as we are always learning.
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
To sum up; we admire Steve Jobs’ pioneering vision and his understanding of makes his products useful and engaging, understanding now just how technology can improve how we live but how to fit that productivity into elegant, intuitive tools that our customers will want to use.