In Memoriam – Steve Jobs

There’s no doubt that apart from being a visionary and creative genius, Steve Jobs – who died yesterday – was a Hero to millions.

Apple‘s co-founder was 56. He died after a long battle with cancer.

But his legacy lives on, not only in the innovative products he created, but in the daily lives of all those who use, rely on and – frankly – love his iPods, iPads, iPhones and Macs.

Announcing his death, Apple said:

“Steve’s 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.

“His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.”

Online forums, Twitter, Facebook and news comments sections were flooded with tributes to the man who founded Apple in his garage after dropping out of arts college.

“Heaven got a major upgrade today.” – Chris Calloway, a reader of the technology magazine Wired.

“3 Apples changed the world: the one that Eve ate, the one that fell on Newton’s head & the one that Steve built.” – @blackpigsweets

“There may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than fact that much of world learned of his passing on a device he invented. ” – U.S. President Barack Obama.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Media, Telecoms and Technology Editor Katherine Rushton said:

By combining technology with beautiful design, Jobs not only brought technology into the mainstream, making it cool and covetable – he also inspired a generation of talent from diverse backgrounds to eye technology up as a sector to work in.

For creatives, marketers, graphic designers and product designers, Apple is one of the most desirable companies to work in, and technology has transformed from the annexe of the uncool to one of the most rapidly changing and creatively challenging industries there is.

He may have gone, and his absence may rattle Apple, but his legacy in energising a generation of talent is unlikely to fade at all.