Stephen Gary Wozniak was born in San Jose, California, to Jerry Wozniak, an engineer at Lockheed, and Margaret Wozniak. His father's profession instilled in him a love for electronics and engineering from a young age. Even as a child, Wozniak displayed a keen interest in how things worked, often taking apart and reassembling household appliances.

Wozniak's childhood was filled with electronics projects. He earned his amateur radio license at a young age, which allowed him to experiment with radio technology. He also began building his own electronic devices, demonstrating an innate talent for circuit design and problem-solving. This early experimentation laid the foundation for his later innovations.

During this period, Wozniak collaborated with Steve Jobs on several projects. Their most notable collaboration was the creation of 'blue boxes,' devices that allowed users to make free long-distance phone calls. This experience, while technically illegal, honed their engineering and entrepreneurial skills and fueled their ambition to create something truly innovative.

Wozniak designed and built the Apple I, a single-board computer, in his spare time. It was a significant advancement over existing hobbyist computers and was far easier to use. He initially offered the design to Hewlett-Packard, but they rejected it. Steve Jobs then convinced him to sell it as a fully assembled computer, marking the birth of Apple Computer.

The Apple II, also designed primarily by Wozniak, was a massive commercial success. It was one of the first personal computers to come in a fully assembled, user-friendly package, and its color graphics capabilities set it apart from the competition. The Apple II helped to democratize computing and brought it into homes and schools across the United States and beyond.

Wozniak suffered a near-fatal plane crash while piloting a Beechcraft Bonanza. He sustained serious injuries, including head trauma, and experienced temporary amnesia. This event led him to temporarily step back from Apple and re-evaluate his priorities.

After recovering from his injuries, Wozniak took a break from Apple to explore other interests. He enrolled at UC Berkeley under the alias 'Rocky Clark' and earned his degree in electrical engineering and computer science. He also organized the US Festival, a large-scale music and technology event, through his company 'Unuson' (Unite Us in Song). This venture, while costly, reflected his passion for music and bringing people together.

While technically remaining an employee until then, Wozniak left Apple full-time in 1985. He felt that the company had grown too large and bureaucratic and that his innovative spirit was stifled. He remained a shareholder and received a small salary, but he pursued other entrepreneurial and philanthropic ventures.

In the years following his departure from Apple, Wozniak dedicated himself to education and philanthropy. He taught computer classes to children in Los Gatos, California, and has supported numerous educational initiatives through his charitable foundation. He believes strongly in the power of education to transform lives and has made it a central focus of his post-Apple activities.

Steve Wozniak continues to be an influential figure in the technology world. He frequently speaks at conferences, participates in interviews, and offers his insights on the future of technology. He has also been involved in various technology startups and continues to be a strong advocate for innovation and technological literacy. His contributions to the field have cemented his legacy as a true pioneer of the personal computer revolution.