Lesser Known Facts about Steve Jobs and Bill Gates

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are two of the most influential figures in the technology world, with their legacies inspiring countless entrepreneurs and visionaries. While much is known about their public personas and professional achievements, there are several lesser-known aspects of their lives that paint a more nuanced picture of these tech legends.

30 Years of Love-Hate Between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates

The relationship between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates has been characterized by both admiration and fierce competition. Gates, known for his calm demeanor, rarely engaged in battles with Jobs on a personal level, while Jobs was known for his aggressive and combative nature. Their rivalry extended to personal lives as well, with Jobs being very rude to his girlfriend Chrisann Brennan. This led to a controversial period where Jobs denied paternity for years, which ended up in legal battles and media scrutiny.

Steve Jobs, the Visionary and the LSD Connoisseur

Steve Jobs was not only a tech visionary but also a spiritual seeker. He experimented with LSD on multiple occasions, often quoting its effects on his creativity and insights. His trips were not just confined to his college days; he also tripped in various locations including Reed College and even outside Sunnyvale, CA. It's interesting to note that Jobs, despite his fame, was homeless for a period after dropping out of college before co-founding Apple Inc.

Apple: The Mystery Behind the Name and Other Curious Stories

One of the most intriguing facts about Steve Jobs is the origin of the name Apple. In an interview, Jobs mentioned that the company was named after his favorite fruit, but there are more layers to the story. During the mid-1990s, Jobs was facing tough times with NEXT, a company he had founded. Before quitting Apple, he had a chemistry with Steve Wozniak, his co-founder, that was marked by both mutual respect and occasional conflicts.

Misunderstandings and Privately Funny Episodes

Behind the professional rivalry, there were personal misunderstandings and funny episodes. For instance, Jobs once struggled with getting a floating-point BASIC for the Apple II, leading him to approach Microsoft and license Microsoft's BASIC. Another story is how Jobs took home more money from Atari for the game Breakout than Wozniak did. Wozniak was then deceived into having a 50/50 split while Jobs kept the extra amount for himself.

A Life of Dedication and Personal Choices

Beyond the professional achievements, Steve Jobs led a life of dedication and personal choices. He maintained a strict diet, often eating only carrots or fruits, which might have contributed to his early passing due to pancreatic cancer. Jobs was also a pescetarian, consuming fish but no other meat. His personal life was also marked by financial simplicity; he kept his salary at $1 from 1997 until 2008, flat when he was leading the company.

Lesser Known Facts About Bill Gates

Bill Gates, on the other hand, was more reserved and less publicly confrontational compared to Jobs. He has been known to acknowledge his jealousy and admiration for Jobs' genius. Despite his financial success, Gates has also engaged in significant philanthropic efforts through his foundation, The Bill Melinda Gates Foundation.

Conclusion

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were not just tech pioneers; they were individuals with complex personalities, enriching personal stories, and unconventional practices. Their lesser-known stories provide a more holistic picture of the men behind the incredible products that transformed the world.