#606 Steve Wozniak: A Look into the Mind of Apple's Co-Founder, a16z podcast Special

Today we’re bringing you a special episode from our friends at the a16z podcast. Listen in as one of the most influential technologists of our generation – Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak sits down with a16z host Steph Smith to discuss what inspired him to build a computer in the first place, but also how he thinks about the difference between inventors and engineers, and some special stories from the early days with Steve Jobs. Plus, you’ll get to hear about his new venture in space!

All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast! 

For more about a16z, check out their website: https://a16z.com/

About Steve Wozniak:

Stephen Gary Wozniak also known by his nickname "Woz", is an American electronics engineer, computer programmer, philanthropist, inventor, and technology entrepreneur. In 1976, with business partner Steve Jobs, he co-founded Apple Computer, which later became the world's largest technology company by revenue and the largest company in the world by market capitalization. Through his work at Apple in the 1970s and 1980s, he is widely recognized as one of the most prominent pioneers of the personal computer revolution.

In 1975, Wozniak started developing the Apple I into the computer that launched Apple when he and Jobs first began marketing it the following year. He primarily designed the Apple II, introduced in 1977, known as one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputers, while Jobs oversaw the development of its foam-molded plastic case and early Apple employee Rod Holt developed its switching power supply. With human–computer interface expert Jef Raskin, Wozniak had a major influence over the initial development of the original Apple Macintosh concepts from 1979 to 1981, when Jobs took over the project following Wozniak's brief departure from the company due to a traumatic airplane accident. After permanently leaving Apple in 1985, Wozniak founded CL 9 and created the first programmable universal remote, released in 1987. He then pursued several other businesses and philanthropic ventures throughout his career, focusing largely on technology in K–12 schools.