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Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

Apple co-founder dies, aged 56

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, has died, aged 56. Jobs had long been suffering from a form of pancreatic cancer, and stepped down as CEO of the company in August. He is largely credited with Apple’s enormous success in the last decade, having returned to the company in 1996 after an 11-year break from the technology giants that saw him preside over the rise of animation company Pixar, which released Toy Story, the first feature film to be comprised entirely of CGI.<strong>Steve Jobs at the Apple Keynote</strong>

Jobs oversaw the launch of the iMac range of personal computers, as well as the iPod, Apple’s online store iTunes, and the iPhone, in the process revolutionising personal computing, the music industry and telephony. The reversal of Apple’s fortunes since his return is widely cited as one of the biggest business success stories in history: since 1997, the company’s revenue increased almost tenfold, from $7 billion a year to over $65 billion.

A statement released by his family says, “Steve died peacefully surrounded by his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness.”

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