Instant Inspiration: Watch Steve Jobs’ Greatest Ever Speeches

Instant Inspiration: Watch Steve Jobs’ Greatest Ever Speeches:from MakeUseOf.com by Dave Parrack
Not everybody is a fan of Apple. Nor was everybody a fan of Steve Jobs, one of the two Steves who founded the company, and the one who turned it from an also-ran into the cash-gobbling behemoth that it is today. However, even those who dislike Apple and who disliked Jobs felt his passing, and also miss his style of delivery whenever he made a speech.
The speeches below are arguably the greatest ever made by Steve Jobs. They’re a mixture of those made to organizations and universities – in which he tries to inspire youngsters setting off into the world – and Apple keynotes and product launches – which may not contain particularly great individual lines but proved important in the life of Jobs, of Apple, and of the technology industry.

Academy Of Achievement – 1982

The Academy Of Achievement is a non-profit organization which recognizes outstanding achievement and tries to pair those people responsible for it with promising youngsters. In 1982 Steve Jobs received the ‘Golden Plate’ award at the tender age of 26, though by this time he had already founded Apple alongside Steve Wozniak.
This is an audio recording of the speech he gave to those in attendance, and it’s noteworthy because the advice Jobs dishes out probably wasn’t what most present were expecting. That isn’t a bad thing, and in hindsight a lot of what the young Jobs preached at this stage of his life was (and still is) well worth listening to.

The Return To Apple – 1997

In 1985 Steve Jobs resigned from Apple after the board of directors sided with CEO John Sculley in a battle of wills between the two men. Jobs went away and both founded NeXT and bought Pixar, but his heart still belonged to the company he founded. In 1996, Apple bought NeXT, and Jobs made his return to Apple.
This is a video of his keynote at Macworld Boston in 1997, made after Jobs was named interim CEO and charged with turning around the fortunes of the failing company. This speech can be seen as the start of a new era for Apple, and in the 15 years that have followed it has surpassed the competition. Including Microsoft, which makes a cameo in this video in the form of one Bill Gates.

Apple iPod Keynote – 2001

In 2001 Apple introduced the iPod to the market. It wasn’t the first personal media player, and it could be argued it also wasn’t the best, but it captured the hearts and minds of consumers like no other had, and begun Apple’s transformation into the company it is today. It was also the first piece of Apple hardware to be given the ‘i’ moniker.
This is a video of Steve Jobs unveiling the iPod to a room full of assembled guests. This product launch was timid compared to what was to follow over the next decade, with the amount of interest increasing exponentially from this point forth. But all the hallmarks of an Apple launch are here to see, including Jobs’ trademark showmanship.

Stanford Commencement Speech – 2005

Stanford University holds a commencement event each and every year, and yet there is really only one that has stood out for more than those lucky enough to be in attendance. That was in 2005 when Steve Jobs took to the stage to deliver a commencement speech that has inspired more than just the students present on the day.
The speech was delivered a year or so after Jobs was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but though he looks a little older than he had previously, he doesn’t look ill or emaciated as he did in the years afterwards. Jobs discusses family, college, Apple, love, life, and death. His words of wisdom on the latter meant this speech became more powerful after he passed away in 2011.

Apple iPhone Keynote – 2007

In 2007 Apple introduced the iPhone to the market. If the iPod represented Apple’s return to greatness, the iPhone cemented the company’s position. The iPhone was originally to be a tablet (later to be revisited as the iPad) and changed not only the course of the company but also the course of mobile phones. Smartphones had arrived.
This is a video of the full, unedited keynote for the original iPhone, and it’s regarded with reverence by Apple fans. Although Jobs had already suffered severe health problems by this stage he was at the height of his powers, delivering a product launch that is fascinating to watch even years after the product itself has been superseded.

Jonathan Ive – Tribute To Steve Jobs

The last speech featured isn’t actually from Steve Jobs himself, but about Steve Jobs, and delivered by Jonathan Ive. Ive is the design guru whose eye for detail has shaped all those Apple products you own and no doubt love. He was also close friends with Jobs, and this is his tribute to Jobs made during the ‘Celebrating Steve’ Apple event held after the company founder’s death.

Conclusions

I am far from an Apple fanboy, and I was somewhat cynical (and often downright critical) of Steve Jobs while he was alive. But his passing had an impact on me as a lover of technology, and I have since read the Walter Isaacson biography of Jobs in order to more fully understand the man he was. Whatever you may think of him he should be remembered as an innovator and visionary who changed the world.
These speeches have solidified the view of him I already held. He was an orator with an extraordinary power to inspire, to move, and to excite that few others have matched. This helped him sell products to the masses, and helped to cement his legend for generations to come. As always let us know your thoughts on the subject at hand in the comments section below.
Image Credit: Lightsurgery