Buzz
Steve Jobs was a multifaceted individual: a tech visionary, a billionaire with peculiar habits, a marketing expert, and often seen as a difficult personality. Like anyone, he had his strengths and weaknesses. His innovations reshaped the realms of personal computing and mobile technology. His actions often led people to interpret “Think different” as a philosophy rather than just a corporate tagline. When we describe Jobs as eccentric, it’s not always a negative trait. At times, his brilliance was extraordinary, not just his quirks. Here are 13 instances that highlight this.
13. He Soaked His Feet In Company Toilets
While some might turn to stress balls or a gym session to cope with workplace stress, Jobs had a different approach. His biography reveals an unusual method he used to unwind at the office: soaking his feet. You might assume he did this discreetly under his desk, but no—he chose the company restrooms. Yes, really.
https://www.pinterest.com/Wanderingjon/toilet-humor/ Via Pinterest
12. He Bailed On a Luxury Hotel Room
While visiting London, England, Apple’s design chief Johnny Ive arranged for them to stay in a lavish five-star hotel suite. While most people would be thrilled to experience such opulence, Jobs had a different reaction. He reportedly glanced at the room, deemed it unacceptable, and immediately contacted Ive to announce their departure. He even confronted the front desk staff to express his dissatisfaction.
http://www.luxurytravelmagazine.com/property/dukes-hotel-london-england-5-star-boutique-luxury-hotel.php Via luxurytravelmagazine.com
11. He Accepted A Laughable Salary
For years, Jobs ranked among the lowest-paid CEOs in the corporate world, accepting a mere $1.00 annually to lead Apple. Fortunately, he held over $2 billion in Apple stock. His approach inspired other tech leaders, including Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin, as well as Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, who also adopted the $1.00 salary model.
http://www.tadtop.com/10-facts-you-would-love-to-read-about-steve-jobs-the-ultimate-innovator/ Via TadTop.com
10. He Didn't Believe In Showers
Jobs’ dietary habits were unconventional. He experimented with vegetarianism and veganism, and at one point believed that a toxin-free, meatless diet eliminated body odor. This led him to avoid showering and deodorant, much to the dismay of his colleagues. During his time at Atari, his boss assigned him to the night shift to spare others from his strong personal aroma.
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-08/people-who-will-be-next-steve-jobs Via PopSci.com
9. Or Shoes
Similar to his unconventional diet and aversion to showers, Jobs also rejected the social norm of wearing shoes. He frequently walked around the office barefoot, which many found unappealing. Imagine having to endure the odor of your colleagues’ bare feet—no thank you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP2GobeEy1M Via YouTube
8. He Fired People With No Notice
Jobs was infamous for his explosive temper. He didn’t hesitate to dismiss employees for minor mistakes, whether at Apple or Pixar. When someone urged him to be less impulsive and provide at least two weeks’ notice before firing anyone, he sarcastically replied, “Fine, but the notice is retroactive from two weeks ago.”
http://chronicle.augusta.com/aggregator/sources/64 Via chronicle.augusta.com
7. He Screwed His Friends
One of the most infamous tales about Jobs involves his time at Atari before Apple’s inception. He was offered a bonus for creating a Pong clone and enlisted his friend Steve Wozniak to help, promising him half the profits. Wozniak developed the iconic game Breakout, and Jobs received a $5,000 bonus from Atari. However, Jobs kept the bonus a secret and only paid Wozniak $375, half of the initially agreed $750. Wozniak did all the work, while Jobs pocketed $5,375 for simply delivering the project.
http://vaultmg.com/2014/12/steve-wozniak-debunks-apple-garage-myth/ Via VaultMG.com
6. His Car Had No License Plate
Jobs had an unusual habit of avoiding license plates on his car. He exploited a California law that allowed six months to register a new vehicle by leasing a new car every six months. He never clarified his reasoning. Additionally, he frequently parked illegally in handicapped spots, even before his health issues justified their use.
http://celebritycar.weebly.com/steve-jobs.html Via CelebrityCar Blog
5. He Denied His Daughter's Existence
For years, Jobs refused to acknowledge his daughter Lisa, even claiming he was sterile and avoiding a paternity test. This caused significant hardship for Lisa and her mother, who faced financial struggles while Apple flourished. Interestingly, Jobs named an early Apple computer, the Lisa I and Lisa II, after her. Later in life, he reconciled with Lisa, accepted responsibility, and compensated her mother and the state of California for unpaid child support. This story, though troubling, ended on a somewhat positive note.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Brennan-Jobs Via Wikipedia
4. He Didn't Listen To Doctors
In 2003, Jobs was diagnosed with a rare and treatable form of pancreatic cancer, with a favorable prognosis for recovery. However, he chose to disregard medical advice for nearly a year, opting instead to self-treat through dietary changes and alternative medicine. By the time he agreed to surgery, the delay had allowed the cancer to progress. This decision led to ongoing health complications, ultimately contributing to his passing in 2011.
http://asmithblog.com/tag/steve-jobs/ Via ASmith Blog
3. The Case of The Missing Hard Drive
Jobs was famous for making his email address public and occasionally responding to the flood of messages he received. One notable instance involved a customer complaining about the iPhone 4’s antenna issue, to which Jobs famously replied, “Just avoid holding it that way.” His response was both blunt and memorable.
Despite his sometimes dismissive tone, Jobs could also be remarkably attentive. In 2008, a customer named Matt McCoy emailed him about a missing hard drive from a laptop returned to an Apple Store. The next day, McCoy received a personal phone call from Jobs, who assured him the issue would be resolved. The hard drive was eventually found and returned, earning Jobs the reputation for providing exceptional customer service as a CEO.
http://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/195bwf/got_this_macbook_air_in_for_repair_still_works/ Via Reddit
2. He Designed Products No One Knew They Wanted
When the iPod debuted, MP3 players were bulky, unpopular, and limited in storage and usability. Portable cassette and CD players still ruled the market. Jobs and Apple changed everything in 2001 by introducing the iPod, sparking a portable music revolution. Similarly, the iPad faced skepticism in 2010, with critics dismissing it as an overpriced, feature-lacking laptop. Yet, the iPad became a massive success, proving Jobs’ ability to create products people didn’t even realize they needed.
https://marjorieew.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/steve-jobs-hayati/steve-1/ Via marjorieew.wordpress.com
1. He Fought The Music Industry
Before iTunes, music purchasing options were limited to buying full albums at record stores, regardless of the price. Jobs envisioned a system where users could purchase individual songs, a concept that music labels initially opposed. They believed albums generated more revenue than selling singles for $0.99. However, Jobs persuaded several major labels to join, and the rest followed suit, leading to iTunes becoming a groundbreaking success.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/you-want-see-dead-man-apple-criticises-media-over-sick-steve-jobs-testimony-little-value-1478894 Via ibtimes.co.uk
