Technology is changing the world and there’s no getting away from it. Whether you’re a supporter of the latest tech or believe it’s the root of all evil, the technology industry is expanding at an impressive rate, taking many popular industries along for the ride. From investments and banking to professional sports, entertainment, and even fine dining, tech’s influence is obvious.
If you love professional soccer and follow the English Premier League or UEFA Champions League live on television, you’ll already know how tech can be divisive. From the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to goal line technology, many of the game’s biggest decisions are taken from the referee and trusted to tech. Eliminating human error seems the final destination, but the program isn’t without its teething problems. Supporters of VAR say results have become so important there’s now no margin for error. Those against tech in sport believe a human element is essential and the game shouldn’t be refereed twice.
Tech doesn’t just change how the game is played but how fans watch and interact with their favorite teams. You can watch the game on your smartphone using a live stream or predict the result using the best online sports betting apps. You’ll purchase your tickets using a smartphone, chat with fellow fans on social media, and purchase official club merchandise on your laptop. Tech is bringing sports and fans closer together, and we’re at the start of a very long and interesting road.
Driving change
We often see the latest tech and marvel at how far we’ve come in such a short period. But who are the major players behind the tech that’s driving change, dragging people, sports, and businesses into the 21st century? Some tech leaders are more famous than others and seem to enjoy the limelight, while others are content working behind the scenes, allowing their creations to do the talking.
In this article, we shine the spotlight on some of the most famous inventors and tech magicians. From Steve Jobs to Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, we wanted to bring you up to speed on the industry experts. We’re seeing changes in finance, medicine, communication, and health that wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible intelligence, foresight, and imagination of these pioneers.
Keep reading as we begin our list of the most influential names in tech with the one and only Bill Gates. He’s globally famous, seems to adore the limelight, and his company is always pushing for better. Gates is just one of three names highlighted in this fascinating article.
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Bill Gates
Bill Gates is synonymous with the rise of the personal computer revolution and is one of the most successful figures in the history of technology.
Born in 1955 in Seattle, Washington, Gates showed an early aptitude for programming and computer science. Along with his childhood friend Paul Allen, Gates founded Microsoft in 1975 with a vision to put a computer on every desk and in every home. Their breakthrough came in 1980 when Microsoft signed a contract with IBM to provide an operating system for their new personal computer.
Gates seized the opportunity and acquired an operating system called QDOS, which Microsoft modified and rebranded as MS-DOS. This pivotal move laid the foundation for Microsoft’s dominance in the software industry.
Gates’s true genius lay in his strategic vision and business acumen. He foresaw the potential of software licensing and positioned Microsoft as a leading software vendor, securing lucrative deals with other computer manufacturers. In 1985, Microsoft released Windows, a graphical extension for MS-DOS, which eventually became the dominant operating system for personal computers worldwide.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., is revered as a visionary entrepreneur and design maestro who revolutionized multiple industries. Born in 1955 in San Francisco, California, Jobs demonstrated an early interest in electronics and computer technology.
In 1976, he co-founded Apple Computer, Inc. with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in the Jobs family garage. Their first product, the Apple I, was a modest success, but it was the launch of the Apple II in 1977 that propelled the company to prominence.
Jobs’s greatest achievement came with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984, which featured a revolutionary graphical user interface and mouse input device. Despite initial commercial challenges, the Macintosh laid the groundwork for future innovations in personal computing. However, internal conflicts led to Jobs’s ousting from Apple in 1985, prompting him to pursue other ventures, including the founding of NeXT Inc. and Pixar Animation Studios.
Jobs’s triumphant return to Apple in 1997 marked the beginning of a new era of innovation. Under his leadership as CEO, Apple experienced a renaissance with the launch of iconic products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Jobs’s obsession with design, simplicity, and user experience resonated with consumers, catapulting Apple to unprecedented success. His famous keynote presentations, known for their charismatic delivery and “one more thing” surprises, became legendary in the tech industry.
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon.com and one of the most influential entrepreneurs of the digital age. Born in 1964 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bezos displayed an early interest in computers and technology. After graduating from Princeton University with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science, Bezos worked on Wall Street before founding Amazon in 1994.
Amazon began as an online bookstore but quickly expanded its offerings to include a wide range of products, leveraging Bezos’s vision of creating the “everything store.” Bezos’s relentless focus on customer satisfaction and long-term thinking propelled Amazon to become the world’s largest online retailer. He pioneered innovations such as one-click purchasing, Amazon Prime, and Kindle e-readers, transforming the way people shop, read, and consume media.
Bezos’s ambitious expansion into cloud computing with Amazon Web Services (AWS) further solidified Amazon’s position as a technology powerhouse. AWS revolutionized the way businesses deploy and scale their IT infrastructure, powering the digital infrastructure of companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 giants.