The Loss of a Visionary Written by Brad Burchards

Driving back to work the other day I was shocked at what I heard on the radio, Steve Jobs was dead at 56.

For most people we know him as the guy who brought us the iPod, iPhone, and iPad which we can't seem to live without in these modern times. You never can miss a person on the street using an iPhone (except in downtown where you risk it being snatched!), listening to music on an iPod, or someone sipping on coffee while browsing using an iPad. All these devices were brought to us by the vision of one person, and sadly that person is not with us anymore. Through his brilliance, passion, vision, and undying energy he is credited for countless innovations that his company, Apple had offered the world. He shared the same beginnings are Microsoft founder Bill Gates having dropped out of college and launched a company (Apple) with school friend Woz (Steve Wozniak) in 1976 selling the first Apple computer that year. Although he left Apple in 1985 he went on to launch NeXT and bought Pixar for m, but after some time he was back at the helm of Apple and transformed the company into a powerhouse even surpassing the US government in terms of funds as well as exceeding Exxon Mobil in the stock exchange trading at 0 per share at one time. If any of you remember the movie "Pirates of Silicon Valley" it shows Steve Jobs' true personality how He was a very complex guy. As we can see from his public performances, the thing that strikes people most is how charming he could be, when he is willing to be. His co-workers experience that every day. This contrast has become famous under the name of “hero/shithead roller-coaster.” That term was coined at NeXT to describe how a given employee could switch from being called a “bozo” whose work was “worthless shit,” work real hard to improve it, then hear he was a “genius.” This had the ability to drive some people nuts. Those that could stand it still work for Steve, some of them in his top executive team. Now as another important figure passes on who has made his mark in history we are left wondering will Apple ever be the same? Will the same tenacity Apple had with Jobs around still make heads turn and the competition shudder in fear? I am still a novice Mac/Apple user but the simplicity and functionality of Steve Jobs' masterpieces have made me gasp in awe and I find it a fitting tribute to write a short piece about him in my own little way.