On Steve Wozniak's 75th birthday: A brief rise, a fall, but always on top

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Never trust a computer you can't throw out the window. This quote from Steve “Woz” Wozniak says a lot about the Apple co-founder. First of all, there is his nerdy sense of humor, which still distinguishes Woz today and makes him a popular conversation partner. But his philosophy and his ambition to not just use technology but to understand and control it also shines through. The Californian turns 75 today.

However, the quote about the computer is a good illustration of the worlds that lie between the legendary garage in which Woz and Steve Jobs assembled the first Apple computers and today's Apple, which is worth trillions of US dollars. Part of today's recipe for success is the closed system that critics and politicians around the world gnash their teeth at. And which, to some extent, also contradicts Woz's claim to be able to completely control technology.

Soldering circuits from an early age

Woz, who still receives a small paycheck from Cupertino for occasional appearances but sold most of his Apple shares in the 1980s, takes a relaxed view: “Apple is still the best,” he said in an interview some time ago. “And if Apple does things that I don't like, and I would like to see more openness considering its closed-mindedness, I will speak out.” Does Apple listen to him? “Oh, no,” he laughs.

In 1976, Stephen Gary Wozniak founded Apple together with Ron Wayne and Steve Jobs. Wayne quickly left, the two Steves stayed. A year earlier, in the Homebrew Computer Club, which is regarded as formative for the development of the PC, the computer construction project began. But it was more than just a personal passion: the enthusiasts wanted computer technology to be open to everyone. So Wozniak, who was born in Sunnyvale on August 11, 1950, built the Apple I. Even as a teenager, Woz enjoyed soldering circuits and dreamed of getting his hands on these machines, which were inaccessible to normal people. He found a comrade-in-arms in Jobs, who was five years his junior and died in 2011.

Gray areas also touched upon

On the way to the first Apple computer, the two also touched on gray areas. In an initial project, they manipulated the telephone network of the former monopoly AT&T and found out how free phone calls could be made using control frequencies. The division of tasks between the two was clear: Woz was the inventor, Jobs the businessman. Meanwhile, Wozniak took up a position at Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 1973, where he helped design circuits.

The Apple I, which did not yet have a keyboard or case, was followed in 1977 by the Apple II, which was also aimed at buyers outside the hobbyist scene. The computer, which only needed a few components, was considered versatile and was a great commercial success for Apple. Wozniak and Jobs became millionaires when the company went public in 1980.

Retired after an accident

An accident with a small plane in February 1981 meant that the two Steves later parted ways again. Wozniak, a hobby pilot, had a serious accident and suffered memory problems for weeks as a result of a head injury. After the incident, he took some time off, returned for another two years in 1983, and then retired from active service at Apple for good. He is still involved in technology projects and start-up companies to this day. He has three children and is on his fourth marriage.

(mki)