Steve Jobs: His Early Life, His Work and Memories [PHOTOS]

The co-founder of Apple Inc., Steve Jobs, is dead at the relatively young age of 56. Jobs had been battling a rare form of pancreatic cancer for several years and, with his demise on Wednesday, Apple has lost both its mentor and its most creative genius.

A simple, self-effacing and humble human being, Jobs lived a somewhat ordinary life in his earlier days. His dreams, however, were far less so; they were, in fact big and extraordinary. So much so that one day he founded a company that became one of the biggest technology and consumer products manufacturers the world has known. Over time, Apple Inc., and Jobs would revolutionize the very idea of personal computing.

Here are some details of Steve Jobs' life (compiled from allaboutstevejobs.com), from his days as a drop-out student, to his family life and the vision, passion and drive that transformed him from a passionate boy to a perfectionist, a technological master and the chief executive officer of Apple.

Steven Paul Jobs was born on Feb. 24, 1955, in San Francisco and adopted days later. From a very early age, he was always fascinated by computer technology and took great interest in electronics. But he never cared much about either school or college. He even dropped out of college, after just a year.

In 1969, Jobs became close friends with Stephen Wozniak, who shared the same interests. Over the next six years, the worked together on a computer board. They were laying the foundation of Apple.

The company was born in 1976 and soon after, in 1980, Apple II became the symbol of the personal computing revolution worldwide, rising above all competitive companies. Jobs was only 25 when his net worth crossed $200 million in December 1980. He made an official appearance, for the first time, after the success of Apple's spreadsheet program VisiCalc.

The Bachelor Life

As a bachelor, Steve was a workaholic, unlike, perhaps, most other young men. He developed a passion for work, technology and creating something new and, for that passion, admitted only a quick dinner and the bare minimum of sleep.

Personal Life, Family and Habits

Jobs married Laurene in 1990 and soon became a devoted family man; even more so after the birth of his children - his son Reed and his daughters Erin and Eve.

I realized that I love my life. I really do. I've got the greatest family in the world, and I've got my work. And that's pretty much all I do. I don't socialize much or go to conferences. I love my family, and I love running Apple, and I love Pixar. And I get to do that. I'm very luck(y), said Jobs in a 2005 interview. This was soon after he was diagnosed with cancer.

A strict vegan himself, he was often seen lecturing guests and people around him against eating meat; his own favorite meal was raw carrots. In keeping with his character, he rarely bothered about how he looked and was usually seen in blue jeans and a black turtleneck shirt or t-shirt, even during his public appearances.

Lifestyle and Work Ethic

Jobs was a visionary and had great aesthetic sense. Reportedly, his was a modest lifestyle, even after earning in the billions of dollars. People close to him often recount tales of his spartan bachelor days. Apparently, all you'd find in his house was a mattress, a stereo, a Bosendorfer grand piano and a BMW motorcycle. In addition to his drive for perfection, Jobs was also known for his showmanship abilities.

However, he was a complex and sometimes, contradictory person, who would often say something on one day and then say exactly the opposite the next; something his employees and colleagues knew first-hand.

At Apple

My job is thinking and working with people and meeting and e-mails, Jobs was once rumored to have said. In truth, he did much more.

In his early days, for example, he did everything from documentation and sales to managing the supply chain, sweeping the floor, buying chips and pretty much everything else.

Devoid of any professional degree or formal training, Jobs had an innate business sense and drive so well-developed that often even the world's best professionals were left amazed at his capabilities.

I'd give a lot to have Steve's taste. I think in terms of intuitive taste, both for people and products... the way he does things is just different, and I think it's magical, Bill Gates was reported as saying.

The Legacy

Steve Jobs is credited with the creation of world-class (and concept-defining) designs, products and software and leading a technological revolution that has taken the world to incredible new heights. The tech icon will certainly never be forgotten.