Stephen Wozniak is an American electronics engineer, computer programmer, and philanthropist. He co-founded Apple Inc. with Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne. Wozniak developed a passion for electronics early in life, experimenting with various devices. He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder for a year before transferring to a community college and then the University of California, Berkeley, where he became known for his pranks. Wozniak's career began in 1971 when he designed the "Blue Box," a device for phreaking, which he and Jobs sold to students. He worked at several electronics firms before joining Hewlett-Packard in 1975, where he designed the Apple I microcomputer. In 1976, he and Jobs co-founded Apple, launching the Apple II the following year. The Apple II was pivotal in the personal computer industry, featuring a central processing unit, keyboard, color graphics, and a floppy disk drive. Wozniak also contributed to hardware design, including the 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. After a plane crash in 1981 that caused temporary amnesia, Wozniak returned to UC Berkeley to complete his degree in electrical engineering and computer science, graduating in 1986. Post-Apple, Wozniak founded CL9, which created the first universal remote control, and Wheels of Zeus, focusing on wireless GPS technology. He also taught computer literacy to students and engaged in various philanthropic efforts. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award, the National Medal of Technology, and induction into the Inventors Hall of Fame. Wozniak is a Silicon Valley icon whose innovations, particularly with the Apple I and II, significantly influenced the computing industry. His legacy continues through his philanthropic work and inspiration to future innovators.
