(Ben Stanfield, Creative Commons)

Jobs was a master innovator even throughout a debilitating illness. Perhaps that — his unwillingness to let his illness stop him from creating — is one of the reasons he is such an inspiration.

In 2004 Jobs fought against a rare form of pancreatic cancer. In 2009, he underwent a liver transplant, ultimately stepping down on Aug. 24, 2011 as Apple’s chief executive due to health issues.

“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know,” Jobs’ resignation letter read. “Unfortunately, that day has come."

Jobs’ genius made the lives of many people a little bit simpler and a lot more fun—creating innovative technologies many of us can no longer do without.

It's no surprise Jobs was so often called the Thomas Edison of his time.

He brought Apple back to life with gadgets like the MacBook, iPod and iPhone. He changed the music industry with iTunes and digital animation with Pixar Animation Studios. 

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life,” Jobs said at a 2005 Stanford University commencement ceremony. “Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Apple will continue to thrive without its former CEO, but it could not have become a huge force in technology without Steve Jobs.

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