Steve Jobs, the man who founded Apple and was seen as the driving force behind its success in recent years, has sadly passed away aged 56.
Jobs started Apple alongside Steve Wozniak in the late 70s, but it was after his dismissal from and subsequent reinstatement to the business in 1997 that the company’s stock really began to rise.
Under Jobs' guidance the company increased sales significantly with the introduction of the iMac, after which it branched out into introducing and improving upon other digital appliances, most notably the iPod, which launched in 2001 and completely redefined the personal portable music player market.
Subsequent products – including the iPhone launched in 2007 – further cemented Apple's place as the world's leading technology brand.
Apple’s influence in the world of performance-based electronic music can also not be underestimated. Nearly every DJ or producer the world over uses an iMac or Macbook as their performance hub, making Jobs one of the most influential people in the way music is created, experienced and performed in the modern day world.
A statement from Apple has said that his "brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve".
Jobs’ death has even prompted Barack Obama to make a statement, saying that with his passing the world has “lost a visionary. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators” he continued “Brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it,"
Apple - whose market value is estimated at $351bn (£227bn) - is now the world's most valuable technology company. A large part of that unparalleled success is down to Steve Jobs’ vision, and tireless worth ethic.
Jobs announced his resignation from his role as Apple's CEO on August 24th, 2011, citing health reasons. In his resignation letter, Jobs wrote that he could "no longer meet [his] duties and expectations as Apple's CEO".
On October 5, 2011, Jobs' family made a statement that he "died peacefully today"
He married his wife Laurene in 1991, and the couple had three children. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.
