Steve Wozniak
Considered by most to be the real “brains” behind Apple, Steve Wozniak is not just a first class engineer with three decades of world-famous credentials; he’s also a really nice guy. Personally invested in making the world a better place on a global and local level, Wozniak has been dedicated –from the first design of the Apple I — to a vision of making technology functionally and financially accessible. This is more than just a design spec; it’s about real life: Wozniak has “adopted” the Los Gatos School District, providing students and teachers with hands-on teaching and donations of state-of-the-art technology equipment. He’s also founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and was the founding sponsor of the Tech Museum, and Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. This Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist has been awarded the National Medal of Technology by the President, the highest honor bestowed on America’s leading innovators, and was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame. He also won the prestigious Heinz Award, for Technology, Economy and Employment. Wozniak recently released his bestselling biography, iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It. His role in shaping the computing industry cannot be underestimated: he’s the engineer/inventor/fifth grade teacher/philanthropist and irrepressible prankster who is changing our world even at this very moment.
TOPICS
Steve Wozniak’s core areas of interest are: Creativity, Innovation, the story of founding Apple Computer, Inc., Education and Robotics / Automation. He takes a very customized approach to each presentation he delivers and speaks directly with the event host to ensure a topical focus that is unique, conversational and an excellent tie-in with the overall event. The result is a highly personalized, unforgettable talk delivered by one of the most influential pioneers of the technology industry.
Some suggested topics are:
- The founding of Apple computer
- How to foster creativity and innovation in a technical environment
- How to breed an entrepreneurial mindset in a corporate culture
- iWoz, his autobiography
- Robotics and automation
- Education
Full Biography
A Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist for more than thirty years, Steve Wozniak has helped shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products the Apple I and II and influenced the popular Macintosh. In 1976, Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer Inc. with Wozniak’s Apple I personal computer. The following year, he introduced his Apple II personal computer, featuring a central processing unit, a keyboard, color graphics, and a floppy disk drive. The Apple II was integral in launching the personal computer industry.
In 1981, he went back to UC Berkeley and finished his degree in electrical engineering/computer science. For his achievements at Apple Computer, Wozniak was awarded the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United States in 1985, the highest honor bestowed on America’s leading innovators.
In 2000, he was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame and was awarded the prestigious Heinz Award for Technology, The Economy and Employment for single- handedly designing the first personal computer and for then redirecting his lifelong passion for mathematics and electronics toward lighting the fires of excitement for education in grade school students and their teachers.
After leaving Apple in 1985, Wozniak was involved in various business and philanthropic ventures, focusing primarily on computer capabilities in schools and stressing hands-on learning and encouraging creativity for students. Making significant investments of both his time and resources in education, he adopted the Los Gatos School District, providing students and teachers with hands-on teaching and donations of state-of-the-art technology equipment. He founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and was the founding sponsor of the Tech Museum, Silicon Valley Ballet and Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.
Wozniak currently serves as Chief Scientist for Fusion-IO and is a published author with the release of his New York Times Best Selling autobiography, iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon, in September 2006 by Norton Publishing. His television appearances include reality shows Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List and season eight of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.
