To Infinity and Beyond

posted by Blogatha on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 16:11

iSad.

  • Adam’s Apple
  • Newton’s Apple
  • Jobs’ Apple

Three apples that have changed the course of human history.

When I heard about the passing of Steve Jobs (which I learned about on my iPad), I went to read what the Twitterati were saying. Those were the two memorable ones.

Has there ever been an individual who has come to mean innovation as much to me on such a personal level?

“1984” commercial – I was a freshman in college in the advertising track at my university. This commercial helped convince me I was heading in the right direction.

Macintosh – I jumped at the chance to take a class that met once a week and required hours in the basement of the library working on one of three Macs - monochrome screen and 9 inch display and all. I wanted to learn about the boxy beige beauties. Color monitors soon followed when I got my first real job. No more electric green blinking cursor.

Pixar – The advent of computer animation and a leader in entertainment – I’m still stunned at how a computer can create such vivid and memorable characters – Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Nemo, Dory, and my personal favorite, Wall-E.

iPod/iPad – The way I listen to music has been transformed by my iPod. I have a second generation one so I’m not watching video or movies on it – my husband does that with his iPhone. I keep up with the world via my iPad.

Niagara Summit – yes, he’s even had an impact on the Niagara Summit. As I talk to vendors about our event, I often tell them I want this to be the MacWorld for the Niagara Community. I want it to be the premier event where you, as a member of the Niagara Community, get re-charged, excited, filled with knowledge and meet new people who will help you in your work. And if I need to get Steve Fey to wear a black turtleneck and jeans, then I will.

From a business perspective, he had an impact on computing, retail, movies, music, telephony, marketing, design…from my personal perspective, he helped create products that define elegance, simplicity, creativity – products that made my life easier, more enjoyable.

Thank you, Steve Jobs.