Steve (“Woz”) Wozniak, Co-Founder of Apple
Today, my guest is Steve ("Woz") Wozniak, who co-founded Apple Computer with the late Steve Jobs in 1976 is a a legendary engineer, inventor, and philanthropist whose groundbreaking work helped spark the personal computer revolution. As the co-founder of Apple, Woz’s genius in designing the Apple I and Apple II computers laid the foundation for a tech empire that transformed how the world connects, creates, and innovates.
A self-taught electronics wizard, Woz built computers from scratch in the 1970s, driven by a passion for making technology accessible and fun. His innovative designs, blending technical brilliance with user-friendly functionality, turned Apple into a household name and reshaped the tech industry.
Beyond Apple, Woz’s adventurous spirit led him to explore new ventures, from creating the first universal remote to championing STEM education through his philanthropy. A beloved figure known for his humility, humor, and relentless curiosity, Woz continues to inspire generations of innovators.
A Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist for the past four decades, Woz has been involved in various business and philanthropic ventures, including providing students and teachers with state-of-the-art technology and being the founding sponsor of the Tech Museum, Silicon Valley Ballet and Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.
Woz also served as Chief Scientist for Fusion-io and is a published author with the release of his New York Times Best Selling autobiography, iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon, in September 2006. Woz is currently Chief Scientist at Primary Data.
In this candid conversation, Woz shared the real stories behind the tech giant’s earliest days and his life after the laboratory.
1. Debunking the "Garage Myth" Woz revealed that the famous garage story is largely lore. While it served as a humble starting point, no actual engineering, prototyping, or manufacturing happened there., His real drive was a "dire need" to own his own computer, which he designed to be affordable and, most importantly, fun.
2. The Power Trio While Woz handled the "electronics wizardry," he credits Steve Jobs with the marketing drive and Mike Markkula—the often-overlooked "third partner"—with teaching them how to run a professional, marketing-driven company.,, As Jobs transitioned into the serious face of Apple, Woz preferred to remain in the lab as an "engineer for life."
3. "Rocky Raccoon Clark" & Lifetime Status After a 1981 airplane crash caused five weeks of amnesia, Woz returned to UC Berkeley to finish his degree under the pseudonym Rocky Raccoon Clark to avoid the spotlight. Despite leaving to pursue other inventions like the universal remote, he remains a lifetime employee at Apple today, receiving a token salary to stay on the company's payroll computer.,
4. A Passion for People, Not Just Pixels Post-Apple, Woz spent eight years teaching fifth-graders how to use technology for everyday life. Today, he remains a dedicated philanthropist in San Jose and spends his time following tech news and taking adventurous road trips in his Tesla with his wife.
