Meet the Steve Jobs of the Megaprojects Industry

 01

The Steve Jobs Archive: 3 Key Lessons From the Inspirational Writings of Apple's Co-Founder

More than a decade after his death, Steve Jobs is still inspiring entrepreneurs around the world. At Vox Media's Code 2022 conference, close friends and family members of the business icon and Apple co-founder, including his widow Laurene Powell Jobs, Apple head Tim Cook, and iPhone designer Jony Ive, announced that they had recently launched the Steve Jobs Archive, an online collection of inspirational writings from Jobs. 

At the conference, Powell Jobs said that she hoped the Archive could be a "place to draw inspiration from Steve's life and work, spurring new generations to make their own contributions to our common future."

Here are three key lessons for life and business from the Archive: 

1. Be grateful for those around you 

In an email Jobs sent to himself in September of 2010, a year before his death, he acknowledged his dependence on those around him, writing that he didn't grow his own food, make his own clothing, or invent most of the technology he worked with in his life. "I love and admire my species, living and dead, and am totally dependent on them for my life and well being," the founder wrote. 

The founder reportedly would sometimes take credit for ideas that he hadn't originated, which led to conflict with people like Ive. The email serves a reminder from Jobs to himself, and now the rest of us, to stay humble, and to remember that no person can thrive without the help of countless others, both friends and strangers.

2. Make mistakes, then keep working 

In a 1984 interview with Sequoia Capital partner Michael Moritz, then a journalist, Jobs said that your personal aesthetics get more refined as you make mistakes, so giving yourself the space to make lots of mistakes is necessary to make something truly great. 

Jobs added that it doesn't take any more energy or money to make something great. "All it takes is a little more time--not that much more--and a willingness to do so: a willingness to persevere until it's really great." The lesson? Be patient. It may not seem like you're making progress, but every mistake and setback will give you a deeper understanding of what makes your business unique.   

3. Don't lose your beginner mentality 

During his 2005 commencement address at Stanford University, Jobs told the graduating class that one of the most creative periods of his life began in 1985 when he was fired by Apple. Jobs said that he didn't see it then, but getting fired was the best thing that could've happened to him. 

Said Jobs, "the heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything." Losing the company he founded kicked Jobs out of a comfortable routine, and forced him to rethink the industry he'd revolutionized. By approaching problems from the perspective of a beginner, you can think up solutions that diverge from the previously agreed-upon way of doing things. 

02

Steve Jobs

By MacRumors Staff on September 16, 2022

Full Video of Tim Cook, Jony Ive, and Laurene Powell Jobs Discussing Steve Jobs Archive and More Now Available Friday September 16, 2022 8:03 am PDT by Sami Fathi

Earlier this month, Apple's CEO Tim Cook, former Apple design chief Jony Ive, and Emerson Collective founder Laurene Powell Jobs participated in a panel at Kara Swisher's final Code Conference, where they discussed Steve Jobs and a wide range of other topics. For the first time since that conference, the full video of the hour-plus-long discussion has been shared on YouTube. During the...

Tim Cook, Jony Ive, and Laurene Powell Jobs Reflect on Steve Jobs at Code Conference 2022

Apple CEO Tim Cook, former Apple design chief Jony Ive, and Emerson Collective founder Laurene Powell Jobs are participating in a panel at Kara Swisher's final Code Conference appearance this evening to discuss Steve Jobs and his influence on technology, culture, and beyond. Responding to a question from Swisher about what they believe Jobs would think about the current state of the world,...

Issey Miyake, Designer of Steve Jobs Turtleneck and Unused Apple Corporate Uniform, Dies Aged 84

Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake, known for designing Steve Jobs' iconic black mock turtleneck sweater and an unused Apple employee uniform, has died at the age of 84, his company has announced (via Reuters). (Image via Mark C. O'Flaherty/Financial Times) Born in Hiroshima in 1938, Miyake built a prolific global high fashion brand and developed a unique relationship with late Apple...

Steve Jobs Posthumously Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs was today posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden. When announcing recipients earlier this week, The White House said that Jobs' inventions changed the way the world communicates. Steve Jobs (d. 2011) was the co-founder, chief executive, and chair of Apple, Inc., CEO of Pixar and held a leading role at the...

Steve Jobs to Be Posthumously Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs is to be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House today announced. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States' highest civilian honor, presented to individuals "who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal,...

Today Marks Steve Jobs' 67th Birthday as MacRumors Turns 22 Thursday February 24, 2022 3:46 am PST by Sami Fathi

Born on February 24, 1955, if Steve Jobs were alive today, he would celebrate his 67th birthday. Jobs, the co-founder and former CEO of Apple, tragically died in 2011 after his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was just 56. Apple under Jobs unarguably changed the world, from the launch of the very first Apple computer in 1976 to the launch of the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Jobs founded and ran...

Today Marks 15 Years Since Steve Jobs Unveiled the Original iPhone

Today is January 9, which means it's been 15 years since Apple CEO Steve Jobs stood on stage at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, California and gave the world its first look at the iPhone, a device that would go on to change everything. The original ‌iPhone‌ was a tiny little thing with a 3.5-inch LCD display, a plain old Home button, a thick chassis, huge bezels, a Samsung processor, and ...

25 Years Ago, Apple Acquired NeXT and Brought Back Steve Jobs

This week marks the 25th anniversary of Apple announcing that it had agreed to acquire NeXT for $400 million. The stunning move brought Steve Jobs back to Apple over a decade after he left the company following an internal power struggle. "The acquisition of NeXT is the start of a new chapter in Apple's history and represents a milestone in our transformation as a corporation," said former...

Apple Makes 'Celebrating Steve' Tribute Video Available on YouTube

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Steve Jobs passing away on Tuesday, Apple shared a short film called "Celebrating Steve" on its website, and Apple has now made the video available on YouTube for those who may have missed it. Apple describes the short film as a tribute to Steve Jobs and a celebration of his life and his extraordinary vision. The video includes many photos and short...

Apple CEO Tim Cook Reflects on Steve Jobs in Heartfelt Memo to Employees

Apple CEO Tim Cook today reflected on Steve Jobs in a touching memo to employees that was obtained by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Jobs passed away 10 years ago today at the age of 56 following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. In the memo, Cook said that Jobs was a husband, a father, a friend, and a visionary who left an extraordinary legacy behind, adding that not a day goes by that he ...

Apple Commemorates 10th Anniversary of Steve Jobs' Passing

Apple today commemorated the tenth anniversary of Steve Jobs' passing with a special commemorative homepage on its website, including pictures and a link to a short film that captures some of his most memorable quotes and moments at Apple's helm. The homepage also includes a statement from the Jobs family, reproduced below: For a decade now, mourning and healing have gone together. Our...

Jony Ive Writes Touching Letter About Steve Jobs a Decade After His Passing

Steve Jobs passed away 10 years ago tomorrow, and in commemoration, Apple's former design chief Jony Ive has penned a remembrance of his friend and colleague for WSJ. Magazine. In his first public comments about Jobs since delivering his eulogy in 2011, Ive reflected on his memories of Jobs across nearly 15 years of working together. "We had lunch together most days and spent our afternoons...

Steve Jobs Once Tossed the Original iPhone Across a Room to Impress Journalists

Tuesday marks 10 years since Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passed away, and those who met him have begun to share stories about his life. CNET's Roger Cheng today recounted his memory of Jobs visiting The Wall Street Journal's headquarters in New York to offer him and a small group of other reporters an early look at a prototype iPhone, shortly after the device was unveiled in 2007. Cheng...

Today Marks 10 Years Since Tim Cook Became Apple's CEO

On this day ten years ago, Steve Jobs resigned as CEO of the company he built and officially named Tim Cook as Apple's new head. Two months later, Steve Jobs passed away and the future of Apple lay solely on the shoulders of Tim Cook. ‌Tim Cook‌ took over Apple at a turbulent time when Jobs was battling pancreatic cancer and the company's future seemed uncertain. Questions were widespread...

Apple II Manual Signed by Steve Jobs Sells for $787,483

An Apple II manual signed by Steve Jobs and Mike Markkula sold for $787,484 at auction this month after garnering 46 bids. The 196 page manual was addressed to Julian Brewer, the son of Michael Brewer. Michael Brewer negotiated distribution rights for Apple in the UK in 1979, and the manual had a personal message inside. "Julian, your generation is the first to grow up with computers. Go...

Apple's Past Sideloading Plans, Ecosystem Lock-in Strategy, and More Revealed in Internal Documents

Documents highlighted by The Verge and disclosed as part of the Apple vs. Epic Games trial have revealed that Apple discussed plans for sideloading apps, sought to lock users into its ecosystem using gift cards, attempted to tackle chaos in the App Store review process, and more. Several of the internal documents related to internal discussions around the possibility of sideloading iPhone...

Working Apple-1 Computer, and Jobs' Leather Bomber Jacket and Other Apple Memorabilia Going up for Auction

A Steve Jobs and Apple auction coming from Boston-based RR Auction in August will see the sale of several classic Macs and other Apple memorabilia, including a rare Apple-1 computer, an Apple II manual signed by Steve Jobs, a leather bomber jacket worn by Jobs, and more. The Apple-1 that's going up for sale is from the collection of Roger Wagner, and it was previously sold in April 2002 at...

Job Application Filled Out by Steve Jobs in 1973 Sells for $222,400 Wednesday March 24, 2021 11:16 am PDT by Sami Fathi

A job application filled out by former Apple CEO Steve Jobs in 1973 has sold for a whopping $222,400 at auction in London (via iMore). The rare employment questionnaire went up for sale on February 24 with the auction lasting one month. Jobs filled out the application in hopes of landing a job after dropping out of Reed College, which he attended for around six months. A year later in 1974,...

Today Marks Steve Jobs' 66th Birthday as MacRumors Turns 21

Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs was born on February 24, 1955, and if he was still alive, today would mark his 66th birthday. Jobs founded Apple alongside Steve Wozniak in 1976, producing the very first Apple computers, but he also served as CEO during a pivotal period and was largely responsible for the company's wild success with products like the iPhone and the iPod. Under...

Employment Questionnaire Filled in By Steve Jobs Going Up for Auction

An online auction to sell off a rare employment questionnaire filled out by former Apple CEO Steve Jobs opens later this month. Jobs filled out the application in 1973, just after dropping out of Reed College, where he attended school for approximately six months and then audited classes for another year and a half. On the document, Jobs lists "english lit" as his major, and Reed College...

03

The Steve Jobs Archive Announced at Code

Yesterday, the Code conference held a session featuring Laurene Powell Jobs, Jony Ive, and Tim Cook, who talked about Steve Jobs’ legacy with host Kara Swisher. As part of the event, the trio unveiled the Steve Jobs Archive, an online repository of historical material from Steve Jobs’ life.

The simple, chronologically organized website features quotes and other materials from Jobs’ life, including some that have never been published before. There are written materials, like an email message Jobs sent to himself reflecting on his respect for humanity, along with audio and video clips.

In addition to collecting significant moments from Jobs’ life, the Archive says it will offer programs, fellowships, and other initiatives:

With respect for the past and excitement for the future, the Steve Jobs Archive offers people the tools and opportunities to make their own contribution.

We are building programs, fellowships, collections, and partnerships that reflect Steve’s values and carry his sense of possibility forward.

Currently, the collection of materials offered by the Steve Jobs Archive is relatively small, but given the vast collection of materials documenting Jobs’ life, I expect we’ll see it grow quickly and that the Archive will start announcing some of the other initiatives mentioned on the site.