Famous Quote
“Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window.”
Why #67
Wozniak designed the Apple I and Apple II — the machines that launched the personal computer revolution. Without his engineering genius, there would be no Apple, and the PC era might have started very differently.
The Story
Steve Wozniak single-handedly designed and built the Apple I and Apple II computers — the machines that launched the personal computer revolution and turned Apple into the most important technology company in the world. While Steve Jobs was the visionary and the salesman, Wozniak was the engineering genius who actually built the products.
The Apple II, released in 1977, was the first mass-produced personal computer with a color display, a keyboard, and expansion slots. It was elegant, powerful, and approachable — a machine that could be used by hobbyists and businesses alike. The Apple II was the best-selling personal computer for five years and generated the revenue that funded Apple's growth into a global company.
Wozniak left Apple after a plane crash in 1981 and has since been a teacher, philanthropist, and technology advocate. He funded the first US Festival, taught elementary school computer classes for years (under his real name, unpublicized), and has remained one of the most beloved figures in technology. Unlike Jobs, Wozniak was never interested in wealth or power — he was motivated by the pure joy of building elegant machines.
Key Achievements
Designed and built the Apple I computer (1976)
Designed the Apple II — best-selling PC for five years
Co-founded Apple with Steve Jobs (1976)
Apple II generated the revenue that built Apple into a global company
Pioneer of personal computing — made computers accessible to non-engineers
National Medal of Technology recipient (1985)
By the Numbers
6M+ Units
Apple II Sales
1977-1993
Apple II Production Run
4 (Core Computing)
Patents
1976
Apple Co-Founding Year
Fun Facts
He built 'blue boxes' with Steve Jobs as a teenager — devices that made free long-distance phone calls by hacking AT&T.
He designed the Apple I and Apple II almost entirely by himself — Jobs handled the business side.
He voluntarily gave his Apple stock to early employees who didn't receive any, costing himself millions.
He taught fifth-grade computer classes for 8 years after leaving Apple — under his real name, with no publicity.
He has a pilot's license and survived a serious plane crash in 1981 that caused temporary amnesia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the greatest entrepreneurs of all time?
The greatest entrepreneurs include Steve Jobs (Apple), Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Bill Gates (Microsoft), and Mark Zuckerberg (Meta). Each built companies that fundamentally changed how the world works — from personal computing and smartphones to e-commerce, cloud computing, and social media.
What makes someone a successful entrepreneur?
Successful entrepreneurs share several traits: the ability to identify unmet needs, willingness to take calculated risks, relentless execution, and resilience in the face of failure. They combine vision with practical problem-solving and are willing to persist long after most people would quit. Capital and credentials matter far less than most people think — resourcefulness beats resources.
Can you become an entrepreneur without a business degree?
Absolutely. Many of the greatest entrepreneurs had no business education. Steve Jobs dropped out of college. Richard Branson left school at 16. Sara Blakely was selling fax machines. Henry Ford had no formal engineering training. Jack Ma was an English teacher. What matters is not the degree — it is the ability to see an opportunity, build something people want, and persist through failure.
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