Looking for Apple, Steve Jobs, creativity insight? Steve Wozniak coming to Elon

Apple aficionados can get their fix by seeing the new Steve Jobs movie “Jobs,” opening this weekend. If that’s not enough, there’s a chance to see Apple’s other co-founder, Steve Wozniak, in North Carolina this fall.

Wozniak will be the keynote speaker at Elon University’s Fall Convocation in October. His talk is titled “Fostering Creativity & Innovation in a Technical Environment.”

[Review: Bloomberg not thrilled with “Jobs.”]

While Jobs had the vision that made Apple the technology juggernaut it is today it was Wozniak who designed the company’s first computers. Wozniak’s Apple I computer was built in 1976. The Apple II was introduced the following year featuring a central processing unit, a keyboard, color graphics and a floppy disk drive.

Recognizing the achievements at Apple, President Ronald Reagan in 1985 awarded Wozniak and Jobs the National Medal of Technology, the highest honor bestowed on America’s leading innovators.

Wozniak has remained active in his post-Apple years and education in particular has been a passion. He has focused on improving computer capabilities in schools and stressed hands-on learning and encouraging creativity for students. He also adopted the Los Gatos School District in California, where he has worked with teachers and donated technology equipment.

In 2000, Wozniak was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame and was awarded the prestigious Heinz Award for Technology, The Economy and Employment. The award recognized Wozniak for single-handedly designing the first personal computer and also for redirecting his passion for mathematics and electronics toward improving education.

Wozniak is currently chief scientist for Utah-based Fusion-io, a company that develops ioMemory solutions that accelerate virtualization, databases, cloud computing, big data and performance applications.

Wozniak’s Elon talk will be held on Oct. 3 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12 but are free to those with Elon ID. Tickets will become available starting Sept. 12 through the Center for the Arts Box Office or by calling 336-278-5610.