Steve Jobs's job title, 1976-1985?

March 28, 2006 9:21 PM

What was Steve Jobs's official job title at Apple from 1976-1985?

So, Steve Jobs co-founded Apple Computer and ran it in the early days, but according to this Wikipedia article, he did not hold the title of chief executive until 1997. My question is, what was his official title between 1976 and his resignation in 1985?

posted by nyterrant to technology (12 comments total)

I know that according to this image which is the cover of the first Macworld from 1984, he was Chairman of the Board.
posted by aristan at 10:06 PM on March 28, 2006

During the early years I don't think he had an official title. Sometimes he's referred to as co-founder, but that's not a title. I can't recall the exact year(1978?) but he was given the position of Chairman of the Board, which I'm pretty sure he kept until his departure in 1985.
posted by shoesfullofdust at 10:08 PM on March 28, 2006

Well, he didn't have the chairman position in 1977. Markkula was Chairman and Scott was CEO. Markkula was CEO after Scott.

NYTimes blurb on Jobs selling his stock in 1985. It states he was head of the Macintosh division:

"Mr. Jobs lost a power struggle and was removed from his operating position as head of Apple's Macintosh computer division in May."
posted by aristan at 10:19 PM on March 28, 2006

One more from American Heritage Dictionary's entry on Jobs, which goes against what I've previously stated:

"American computer engineer who cofounded Apple Computers (1975) and served as its chairman (1975–1985)."
posted by aristan at 10:24 PM on March 28, 2006

According to this page "July 17th, 1981: Michael Scott resigns as president of Apple. He is succeeded by Mike Markkula. Steve Jobs becomes new chairman of Apple."
posted by shoesfullofdust at 10:40 PM on March 28, 2006

This timeline says he became Chairman in March 1981, but shoesfullofdust's timeline looks to be more precise.
posted by teg at 10:53 PM on March 28, 2006

Thanks for doing all that digging, everyone. It's interesting how from 1976-1981 his role is pretty unclear. I guess co-founder was good enough at the time.
posted by nyterrant at 11:02 PM on March 28, 2006

teg: After digging around a bit more I've also found a number of references to March, so you may be right. I can't find anything I'd take to the bank when it comes to the month.
posted by shoesfullofdust at 11:48 PM on March 28, 2006

I guess that the partner who sold his 10% share of Apple to Jobs for 800 dollars has a lot of titles to define Mr. Jobs, really
posted by matteo at 1:07 AM on March 29, 2006

Derail (since this seems to have been answered) I never knew that story. What ultimately became of Ron Wayne, anyway?
posted by mojohand at 5:51 AM on March 29, 2006

posted by matteo at 7:09 AM on March 29, 2006

The Apple employees I talk to refer to him sometimes as "Employee #1."

Woz was "Employee #0."
posted by ikkyu2 at 9:36 AM on March 29, 2006