Technology & education · 1950–
Steve Wozniak Life & Career Timeline
The engineer behind the Apple I and Apple II and a lifelong advocate for accessible computing.
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SWSteve WozniakTechnology & education
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About this timeline
About Steve Wozniak
A sourced timeline of Steve Wozniak’s engineering, Apple’s earliest computers, the US Festivals and his later work in education, philanthropy and technology ventures.
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Steve Wozniak biography
Steve Wozniak timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in San Jose
Stephen Gary Wozniak was born in San Jose and grew up around the emerging electronics industry.
Source: woz.orgStudies computing and engineering
Wozniak began university studies while continuing to design circuits and computers independently.
Source: www.britannica.comThe Blue Box
Wozniak designed a digital blue box, an early collaboration with Steve Jobs that demonstrated their complementary engineering and business instincts.
Connected: Steve Jobs
Source: americanhistory.si.eduWorks at Hewlett-Packard
Wozniak worked on calculator design at Hewlett-Packard while pursuing personal computer projects outside work.
Source: woz.orgHomebrew Computer Club
The Homebrew Computer Club brought hobbyists together and provided the community in which Wozniak demonstrated his early computer design.
Source: computerhistory.orgBuilds the Apple I
Wozniak designed and hand-built the Apple I, a compact single-board personal computer demonstrated to fellow hobbyists.
Connected: Steve Jobs
Source: www.computerhistory.orgApple Computer is founded
Wozniak, Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne established Apple Computer to sell the Apple I.
Connected: Steve Jobs
Source: woz.orgApple II is introduced
The Apple II combined Wozniak’s efficient engineering with colour graphics, expansion capabilities and a consumer-ready enclosure.
Connected: Steve Jobs
Source: www.computerhistory.orgDisk II controller
Wozniak designed an unusually economical floppy-disk controller that helped make the Apple II more useful for software and business applications.
Source: www.computerhistory.orgApple goes public
Apple’s public offering transformed the young company and its early employees as personal computing entered a new commercial phase.
Connected: Steve Jobs
Source: www.computerhistory.orgReturns to Berkeley
After recovering from an aircraft accident, Wozniak returned to the University of California, Berkeley, and completed his degree.
Source: woz.orgUS Festival
Through UNUSON, Wozniak financed a large festival combining music, technology and community. A second festival followed in 1983.
Source: woz.orgNational Medal of Technology
President Ronald Reagan presented Wozniak and Jobs with the National Medal of Technology for their contribution to personal computing.
Connected: Steve Jobs
Source: www.nationalmedals.orgLeaves full-time Apple employment
Wozniak ended his full-time engineering role at Apple while remaining connected to the company and pursuing new projects.
Source: woz.orgNational Inventors Hall of Fame
Wozniak entered the National Inventors Hall of Fame for the personal computer technologies embodied in Apple’s early products.
Source: www.invent.orgPublishes iWoz
Wozniak published an autobiography describing his engineering work, Apple’s origins and his approach to invention.
Source: wwnorton.comWoz U launches
Wozniak launched an education initiative focused on technology skills and career development.
Source: woz.orgCo-founds Privateer Space
Wozniak joined a company building data tools to improve awareness and sustainability in Earth orbit.
Source: www.privateer.comExplore related timelines
This educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Steve Wozniak or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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About the Steve Wozniak timeline
Who is Steve Wozniak?
A sourced timeline of Steve Wozniak’s engineering, Apple’s earliest computers, the US Festivals and his later work in education, philanthropy and technology ventures.
How many moments are included?
This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1950–.
Who maintains this timeline?
This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
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