Was Steve Jobs More of an Innovator Than an Inventor?

Great question! In this article, we will explore the distinction between an innovator and an inventor, using Steve Jobs as a prime example.

Why Steve Jobs Was Not an Inventor

While Steve Jobs is often celebrated for his creative inventions, he was more of an innovator than an inventor. When he said, “Good artists copy; great artists steal,” he encapsulated his approach to technology and innovation. Jobs didn't create groundbreaking technologies from scratch; rather, he combined existing technologies in new and exciting ways.

An Early Insight: The Xerox GUI and Mouse

One of the most compelling examples of Jobs’ innovative approach occurred in the late 1970s. Jobs visited Xerox's research center in Palo Alto and was introduced to their graphical user interface (GUI) and mouse. Xerox was working on a personal computer system, but the project was undertaken by a different group within the company, with resources scarce and seemingly uninterested in commercializing the technology.

A Valuable Discovery

Jobs recognized the revolutionary potential of the GUI and mouse. He was so inspired by the demonstration that he told the Apple team to change course, incorporating this technology into the next version of the Apple computer. This decision would later revolutionize the computing industry.

Designing the Macintosh: A Turning Point

Jobs returned to IDEO, a design firm founded by Dean Hovey, with specifications for a revolutionary mouse. Hovey devised a mouse that could be manufactured for less than fifteen dollars and was durable for several years. This mouse, among other innovations, formed the foundation of the Macintosh computer.

The Macintosh introduced a GUI with pop-up menus, pull-down menus, and a trash can. Windows could be resized and moved with a simple click. This user-friendly interface made computers accessible to home users, fundamentally changing the personal computing landscape. Despite the Macintosh's significant improvements over Xerox's original design, the computer still failed in the market, with sales of only 100,000 units. However, the Macintosh was a critical step forward, paving the way for future iterations.

A New Direction: The Macintosh vs. Lisa

Jobs quickly realized that the Lisa, Apple's earlier attempt to incorporate the GUI and mouse, was too costly and unpopular. He re-focused his efforts on developing Macintosh, which simplified and improved upon the Lisa's design. Macintosh was a commercial success, showing that a personal computer could be practical and user-friendly.

The success of the Macintosh demonstrated the power of innovation in the technology industry. It showed how a vision and a better design could transform a revolutionary concept into a product that resonates with consumers.

Conclusion

Steve Jobs' contributions to technology were more about innovation than invention. He saw potential where others didn't and turned existing technologies into groundbreaking products. The story of the GUI and mouse at Xerox is one of many examples that illustrate Jobs' role as an innovator. Despite the Macintosh's initial failure, it laid the groundwork for the personal computing revolution and set the stage for Apple's future success.

Further Reading

For a deeper dive into Jobs' groundbreaking visit to Xerox and Dean Hovey's work on the mouse, check out these articles:

Creation Myth: The Life and Times of J.C.R. Licklider (a piece by Malcolm Gladwell discussing Steve Jobs' visit to Xerox) The Engineer of the Original Apple Mouse Talks About His Remarkable Career The Different Fate of Apple's Lisa and Macintosh and Why Design Matters