Last year I gave this biography on Steve Jobs to my hubby for Christmas. I'm finally getting my chance to read it and it has launched my newest obsession interest: the history of Apple.
I love non-fiction, biographies, history, and technology...so this book has it all for me. It's a fascinating look at the birth of Apple Computers and Steve Jobs' life, and a great reminder of the dawn of the computer age. I can't believe I am old enough to have experienced this 'in real life' from the start. I totally have taken for granted the evolution of computer technology but reading this book has made me look back and reminisce. We've come a long way, baby!
I remember my dad having a Radio Shack Tandy computer and being so proud of sending out multiple copies of letters he'd typed (while researching his family tree), all in CAPS, on his personal computer: "you may be wondering how I have typed this letter to you. I am using a sophisticated home computer". So funny now! We had the original PONG game on a little black and white t.v. and the year I got an Intellivision for Christmas, I was so excited!
Eventually, I was given Dad's 'older' model Dell computers as he upgraded. Back when there was no sound, no speakers, no colour monitor. I had already graduated (imagine, having to get through school with NO computer! Having to go to an actual library to read actual books and papers to do research! And then having to TYPE the papers on a typewriter!) by this time and used the computer to write letters, manage the family finances, and maybe play a game of solitaire!
Looking back, I'm quite proud of the fact that I got into the game pretty early. In the 80s I worked in an office where I formatted discs, created software discs for customers and had to use basic DOS to get things done. Once I had my own computer I installed extra memory myself, upgraded to speakers when they became available, and generally was open to trying anything new with my system. I wish we had been an 'Apple' family but since I received my father's cast-offs (with no budget to buy for myself) I was destined to be a PCer.
With the new Steve Jobs biopic due out next year (Ashton Kutcher is a dead-ringer!), I am very excited to see the book transformed into a film. If you are reading the book yourself, check out the videos below to put faces to the names and witness some of the events recounted in the biography - fascinating!
As a family of i-pod owners and a new i-phone user, it is really amazing to learn what went on behind the scenes to create these incredible pieces of ubiquitous technology we totally take for granted. It is ironic that we can re-watch the history unfold on YouTube, from our phones, laptops, i-pads...
Thanks, Steve.
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