WOZ

Woz is the nickname of Steven Gary Wozniak (born August 11, 1950), an American engineer and inventor who co-founded Apple Computer. He is best known for designing the Apple I and Apple II, early personal computers that helped launch the home computing era. Wozniak’s design work emphasized simplicity and low cost, enabling widespread experimentation and use.

With Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne, he founded Apple Computer in 1976. The Apple I was his first product; the Apple II, introduced in 1977, became highly successful and established Apple as a major player in personal computing. Wozniak left Apple as a full-time employee in 1985, though he remained associated with the company and continued to contribute as a public figure and adviser.

Beyond Apple, Wozniak has pursued other ventures and public-spirited activities. He founded Wheels of Zeus (WOZ), a company focused on wireless GPS technology, and later launched Woz U, a technology education initiative. He has participated in philanthropy, technology outreach, and speaking engagements, reinforcing his status as a pioneering figure in computing and an advocate for science and engineering education. He has received numerous awards and honors recognizing his contributions to the development of personal computing.