Although Schieble initially had reservations about the Jobs family due to their limited formal education, she agreed to the adoption on the condition that Steve would attend college later in life. Jobs often emphasized in interviews and his biography that he considered Paul and Clara Jobs to be his true parents, stating that he felt no emotional connection to his biological parents and referred to them dismissively.

Childhood and Early Interests

The Jobs family moved to Los Altos, California, where Steve's father built a workbench in the family garage to encourage his son's interest in mechanics and electronics. Paul Jobs, who worked as a machinist and had a passion for fixing cars and appliances, introduced Steve to the world of hands-on creativity and engineering — a foundation that would later influence his career in technology.

Jobs struggled in school during his early years. At his initial elementary school, he often engaged in mischievous behavior, including pranks, and was frequently suspended. As a result, he was transferred to the Cupertino School District, where he was labeled a loner due to his difficulty in forming friendships with peers his age.

College Years and Journey to India

Steve Jobs enrolled at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, though his adoptive parents could barely afford the tuition. He dropped out after just one semester but continued to audit classes, particularly in calligraphy, which he later credited with influencing the typography design of the first Macintosh computer. During this time, Jobs experienced financial hardship, relying on meals at local temples and collecting and returning Coke bottles to earn spare change.

He later secured a job at Atari, a pioneer in video game technology, working as a technician. Jobs saved enough money to embark on a spiritual journey to India, intending to meet Neem Karoli Baba. Upon arriving, he learned that the guru had recently passed away. Nevertheless, Jobs spent seven months traveling across the country, exploring Eastern philosophy and spirituality before returning to the United States to resume work at Atari.

Founding of Apple

In 1976, Steve Jobs co-founded Apple Computer Inc. along with his friend Steve Wozniak and briefly Ronald Wayne, who left the company shortly after its founding. Initially operating out of Jobs' family garage, Apple began by selling the Apple I computer built by Wozniak. Though the early days were marked by financial struggles, the company eventually attracted investors and revolutionized personal computing with the launch of the Apple II, Macintosh, and later, the iPod and iPhone.

The journey toward success demanded significant effort, risk-taking, and innovation. Apple grew into one of the most valuable technology companies in the world, recognized for its focus on design, user experience, and seamless integration of hardware and software.