Steve Jobs dies at 56

Steve Jobs, the chairman and co-founder of Apple, died today at the age of 56. Jobs has been battling pancreatic cancer, and in 2008 received a liver transplant as part of treatment. He took a leave of absence in 2009 and just this August stepped down from the post of CEO of the corporation.

Jobs was a true innovator and it is safe to say the world would not be the same had it not been for his innovations. He not only transformed Silicon Valley during the tech boom, but he reinvented the personal computer and personal electronics. From the Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPad, Steve paved the way for true inventiveness, not only in the functionality of computers, but in their beauty as well. Steve Jobs once explained that he wanted to make products that were at “the intersection of art and technology.”

Apple has released a statement saying, “We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today. Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.”

Not only did Jobs oversee the wildly successful releases of recent Apple products, he helped create one of the most loved and easily identified brands in the world. Who doesn’t know the apple symbol? And who doesn’t love commercials like this one featuring the cool Apple dude?

Thank you Steve Jobs for transforming the world as we know it.