Steve Jobs’ 10 Most Innovative Creations

When he died on Oct. 5, 2011, Apple co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Steve Jobs had over 300 patents registered in his name or as co-inventor. The most successful and revolutionary of these innovations have become indispensable to millions of people worldwide—for their work, their leisure time, and the way they interact with others.

Regarded as a genius on par with such influential inventors as Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell, Jobs was also a miraculously successful executive. From its inauspicious origins in his parents’ Los Altos, California, garage in 1976, Jobs built Apple into one of the world’s most valuable corporations in dollar terms today. Some of the biggest innovative creations include the iPhone and the Macbook. Our list begins, though, with the Apple I.

Key Takeaways

• Steve Jobs was the co-founder and CEO of Apple.
• His first invention was the Apple 1 computer, which was followed by the second generation Apple II.
• Jobs introduced the popular iPhone, iPad, and iPod to Apple enthusiasts.
• He purchased Pixar from George Lucas and founded NeXT, which was purchased by Apple.
• The Cube and Macbook gave consumers options for innovative computers.

1. Apple I

Jobs and his co-founder Steve Wozniak created the Apple I computer in 1975. This was a personal computer designed for research and game playing. It was more of a do-it-yourself kit, which means the computer came with no monitor, no keyboard, and no mouse. The original selling price when it was launched in 1976 was $666.66.

2. Apple II

Launched in 1977, Apple II was an improved and updated version of the previous model, this time with a keyboard, monitor, and a new operating system. Wozniak contributed much to the design of this version of the computer and new features, which made it easier to use and expandable. The Apple II was one of the first mass-produced, widely popular, and profitable personal microcomputers.

3. The Macintosh

Personal computing took a giant leap forward with the introduction of the Mcintosh in 1984. Called Mac for short, it had an innovative graphics interface and mouse, an efficient, easy-to-use substitute for the keyboard, although the keyboard was also part of the package.

The Mac was not initially a commercial success, but several other enhanced, expanded, and improved models of the Mac, including a portable, were launched in the ensuing years with huge profitability.

4. Pixar

Ever restless and looking for new opportunities, Jobs bought an obscure computer graphics firm from “Star Wars” director George Lucas. Branding the firm Pixar, Jobs retooled the company as an animated film studio.

Pixar went on to win 40 Academy Awards as of 2024, and many other honors for the production of films like “Toy Story,” “Wall-E,” and “Finding Nemo”—all major box office successes. In 2006, Jobs sold Pixar to The Walt Disney Company for $7.4 billion, thus making him the largest Disney stockholder.

Note

Steve Jobs’ net worth was $10.2 billion at the time of his death in October 2011.

5. NeXT

In one of those rare ironies in the business world, Steve Jobs was fired in 1985 from his own company by John Scully, the executive Jobs hired to manage the firm.

While Jobs concentrated on the development of new products, Scully won a power struggle and ousted his former boss. Jobs, however, launched a new firm—NeXT—producing innovative computer workstations and accompanying operating systems, and power graphics.

Marketed especially to students and universities, the firm was not successful. Apple struggled in the absence of Jobs, and in 1997 bought NeXT for $427 million and rehired Jobs as its chief executive officer.

6. The Cube

The Cube was launched in 2000. Nothing like it had ever been seen before: a compact desktop computer contained in a clear plastic cube. Other than the design, a major innovation on The Cube was the absence of a cooling fan.

The heat generated by the Cube was dissipated from the top of the encasement. Although it won awards for its design, it provided nothing by way of benefits or features other than what was available on other competing personal computers.

7. The iPod

The iPod was launched in 2001. It was designed to be a computer hard drive with some functional embellishments, including a set of earbuds and a control system. The iPod enabled its users to store and play music and songs on its hard drive. The songs could be bought online at the iTunes retailer for as little as 99 cents.

8. The MacBook

Launched in 2006, the MacBook Pro laptop computer had all the capabilities of a desktop computer. This new version of the laptop replaced earlier versions like the Powerbook and the iBook. The first version was 15 inches, which was later upgraded to 17 inches. The Macbook had a backlit keyboard and a scrolling trackpad. Apple also launched a sleeker version of the Macbook a few months later. The MacBook outsold all competing laptops.

9. The iPhone

Fitting snugly into the palm of your hand, the iPhone could send and receive telephone calls, play movies, retrieve your e-mail, surf the net, and send and receive text messages.

The first version was released in 2007 and has gone through different iterations to get to where it is today. This includes the screen. When the phone debuted, it had a 3.5-inch screen. Compare that to the iPhone 16, which gives users a choice between a 6.1- and 6.7-inch display.

Numerous other smartphone applications were added as subsequent models were released.

10. The iPad

Another revolutionary innovation by Steve Jobs was the iPad. Jobs announced the launch of the iPad in January 2010. This mobile tablet was designed to have many of the capabilities of a laptop computer with a touch-screen interface. One key difference is how thin and lightweight it is. The iPad also gives users audio capability as well as internet connectivity.

What Was the Cause of Steve Jobs’ Death?

Steve Jobs died of pancreatic cancer in 2011. Jobs, who was co-founder and CEO of Apple, was 56 at the time of his death.

Who Replaced Steve Jobs as Apple CEO?

Tim Cook was Steve Jobs’ successor as CEO of Apple. Cook was named CEO in August 2011. Before this, he was chief operating officer (COO) of the company and worked. He also worked at Compaq and IBM.

What Is Apple’s Most Popular Product?

Apple’s most popular product is the iPhone, not to mention one of the most recognizable brands in the world. The smartphone accounts for most of the company’s revenue. For the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2024, iPhone sales exceeded $201.18 billion, which was an increase from the same period in the previous year. Sales during 2023 reached just over $200.58 billion.

The Bottom Line

Not since Edison has an American inventor so widely and profoundly influenced our lives with his innovations. We may now carry with us in a convenient, highly portable device, the iPad, one of Jobs’ latest ideas, which gives us access to movies, books, newspapers, and magazines.