The Christian Science Monitor article so entitled inspired me to create this post. I learned of Steve Job’s passing six minutes before starting a debate with three other candidates. You see, I’m running for school board in Beverly Hills. The news shocked me and I wondered if I could continue. I felt choked up and could not think about the issues I was expected to discuss. As the other three candidates gave their opening statements I realized what I needed to do. As they talked I confirmed the news I had heard with a reporter sitting in the front row. Then, when it came my turn, I pushed my statement aside (it was boring anyway) and announced the news of Steve Jobs passing and explained how this man would be remembered in history for the love he had for students and the advancements he had made, and his company continues to make, in education. As the article states more eloquently than I did “…he accelerated the quality of life on earth … a model in openness to ideas that no one had ever dreamed of. Undiscovered ideas were limitless to him, only to be plucked by expanding one’s vision and then working with others to make them real.”
I had the privilege of working for Mr. Jobs in 1986 when I was asked to create a sales film for the new Macintosh computer, then only six months old. The film was not about the history of the computer, but a history of its marketing, and I had only three days to produce it. I’ve uploaded it onto YouTube so you can see it.
I believe the energy, excitement, innovation, and originality in thought of Steve Jobs is seen in this film. This is something we are all capable of emulating. And doing so, we honor him.
Lewis, the sales film you developed for Apple took me on a nostalgic journey back to 1986. I had been in a tenure-track position at a university for only a year when the dean of my college came to my office to tell me that she wanted me to have one of the new computers she had purchased. She said she knew I was “into technology” and wanted me to be one of the first ones on campus to have one. I was so honored — actually stunned! [Found out later that I made the list because many higher ranking profs had declined.] At that time we were typing assignments and tests on electric typewriters using paper with carbon so we could take the documents to the mimeograph machine to run them off for classes. Now a select few of us had the privilege of using an Apple computer, and I was transported to technology heaven! Even though I was never to smell the fragrance of mimeographed copies again, I never looked back. Now I have a Macbook Pro, an iPad 2, and an iPhone 3s just waiting for the 4s.
I was entranced by your film. It was dynamite. Believe it or not, I actually remember some of the images in it. If Steve Jobs approved it, it had to be GREAT because he did not accept anything less. Wow. I am impressed and want to thank you for sharing it and your tribute to him.
Despite the fact that it is no lie that Steve Jobs was out of Apple, it has been a colossal misfortune. R.i.p. good mate.