For this generation the word apple means so much more than just a fruit that grows on a tree. The Apple computer company that started in 1977 has evolved into an electronics company larger that anyone could have ever expected. This success is largely because of one of the great minds behind the designs, Steve Jobs.

Making a name for itself for many years now, this year Apple celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the iPod the first of many products to begin with the famous lowercase i that took the world by storm.

Business Management teacher Mrs. Kim Nidy agreed that Apple has created a name for itself over the years and has taken over the technology market.

“It seems like its Apple and everybody else,” she said. “They’re the benchmark for all other companies.”

While Apple has created a name for itself, Steve Jobs was a large driving force behind many of the new ideas that propelled Apple forward.

“I think that he kind of embodied the spirit of innovation,” Nidy said. “He did things because of a vision, not to make money. He was so passionate about his products.”

Interactive Media teacher Mr. Gary Bodenschatz agreed Jobs was a large part of the creative process.

“Steve Jobs’ creative process was centered around making products that were simple, powerful and beautiful,” he said. “In my mind, no computer software or hardware company comes close to doing all three as well as Apple.”

Bodenschatz also agreed that while Apple was propelled forward, they also influenced other companies to create new products.

“Apple pushed the electronics industry to think more about the user interface and the industrial design of the products,” he said. “In a nutshell, the user experience.”

One of the reasons Apple may have caught on so quickly was because of its sleek designs and ease of use.

“Before Apple, many electronic devices were mostly about function, what the device could do,” Bodenschatz said. “Apple made products that integrated form and function beautifully.”

When Apple computers began to be widely produced, they were unlike anything before, which added to their popularity. Bodenschatz remembers when he first saw the computer.

“I was in high school when the first Macintosh was produced,” he said. “It was like nothing we had ever seen. I was taking Media Communications with Mr. Baran, and it completely changed the way graphic designers worked. For a very long time, Macs were primarily associated with the creative community, but now Apple has broken out of that small demographic. The introduction and public acceptance of the iPod really pushed the Apple brand way beyond the small creative community.”

Following in the suit of easy user interface and design, perhaps one of Apples most popular items, was the iPod. According to cnet.com, Jobs unveiled the iPod for the first time on Oct. 23 2001. No one could have imagined how fast the iPod took off and over the last decade came to define this generation.

“It’s made music more a part of our culture because its so readily available,” Nidy said.

Senior Todd Beavers agreed music is more available, as well as more portable.

“It has allowed for portable music listening,” he said. “It gives us more storage capacity as well. With iPods containing as much as 160GB, people now have the ability to put as much music on their mp3 player as their heart desires.”

Bodenschatz agreed that through the iPod, music became more accessible.

“Today our culture is all about convenience,” he said. “Today, all your music and data information fits in your hand, so you can have it with you always. We can access nearly any song or info in a matter of seconds, without paying.”

While there are many positives to the accessibility of music through the iPod and iTunes, Bodenschatz said there are negatives this generation has come to take advantage of.

“In my opinion there’s a downside to this,” he said, “Many students I talk to believe that everything on the Internet is free. Call me old fashioned, but most mp3 files are not free and should be purchased.”

Along with the integration and newfound availability of music, the iPod has also increased the multitasking ability among younger people.

“It has made this generation multitaskers,” Nidy said. “You may be doing five different things at once on one device.”

Bodenschatz agreed that we have become a multitasking and daring generation.

“On a positive note, constant access to nearly unlimited information has made us faster, smarter, and more willing to take on tasks we normally wouldn’t have attempted,” he said.

Even with all of the success Apple has had over the years, Bodenschatz and Beavers both agreed Apple’s future is uncertain with the loss of such a vital part of the company.

“[Its] hard to tell. Last time Apple was without Steve Jobs they nearly went bankrupt,” Bodenschatz said.

Beavers agreed.

“Steve Jobs was such a visionary,” he said. “He lead a broken company to worldwide prominence in a little over 10 years. Without Steve, I don’t see how Apple will last.”