Gift Steve Jobs returned home

Most recently, in one of the restaurants in San Francisco happened remarkable event. Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of Steve Jobs, was handed a computer with an unusually rich history. Around 1980, her husband donated the Apple II nonprofit organization Seva Foundation, and now, after 33 years of residence in Kathmandu, a gift back home.

The Apple II would not have attracted so much attention, not whether it is a rare example of charity by Jobs. It sang for the unique vision of the future of the technology industry and leadership qualities, but the life of Steve has been criticized for indifference towards charity.

Other technical innovators billionaire indicative donated huge sums to charity, including the sworn friend of Jobs - Bill Gates. It is now known that Jobs is at least as exhibited his charity show. And although his wife for a long time is an active participant in various charitable projects, Jobs himself was portrayed as a man somewhat disparagingly referring to the charity. This portrait we can see in the biography of Steve by Walter Isaacson.

The situation bothered Larry Diamond, a longtime friend of the family of Jobs. In 1978, Larry co-founded the organization made Seva.

"I want to refute the notion that he was not interested in charity and other good works. It is not true".

Dr. Diamond is well acquainted with the world, which intersect technology and philanthropy. Now he is president of the Skoll Global Threats Fund. This is a non-profit organization founded by Jeff Skoll, co-founder of eBay. Before this diamond ruled Google.org - the charitable division of the search giant.

Above all, Larry had seen Jobs in quite a different light. They first met in India in the 70s. Then seek enlightenment Jobs appeared in front of him with bare feet and a shaved head. It happened in a Himalayan ashram, where Larry lived at that time.

Later Diamond continued to supervise the program for the eradication of smallpox in India, initiated by the World Health Organization, and Jobs returned to the United States and founded Apple.

Communication between them has continued in the late 70s. Jobs then read in one of the magazines on the efforts exerted by Dr. Diamond in the fight against smallpox in India. By the time Steve went to his first million, and as a good gesture Brilliant wrote a check for $ 5,000. With this money, it was founded Seva, who began the struggle for access to cataract operations eyes for the poor around the world.

Although the donated amount was small, it was very important for the fund. Jobs Act has become an example for others, and the increased activity of sponsors allowed Dr. Brilliant collect about $ 20,000 in just a few weeks.

"Without donations Seva and would not have appeared."

Around the same time, one of the co-founders of Seva letter was sent. Sender was listed Apple Computer with the corporate address Bandley Drive, Cupertino, California.

"I sincerely accept your invitation to become a member of the Seva».

Signature «steve jobs», without the capital letters in the name and surname.

"Please let me know of any specific cases in which I can be useful."

The computer was presented Seva in 1980. With it, the organization has introduced and analyzed data from surveys carried out after the operations in Nepal. Jobs at the initiative of the program have been installed in the computer to create spreadsheets, VisiCalc, and external hard drive. Diamond says the word Jobs on this computer:

"You will never be able to use all the available memory. Its there for 5 megabytes! ".

The same computer randomly played a role in the evolution of online communities. One helicopter carrying several ophthalmologists, was forced to make an unscheduled landing in a remote area of ​​Nepal due to engine failure. Then the diamond using primitive modem organized online chat, which was plugged in, including the manufacturer of the helicopter. Common efforts they were looking for a way to save the aircraft. Then participants Seva, the World Health Organization and the manufacturer of the helicopter actually organized an online conference.

Diamond says that it is the conference inspired him to base Well one of the earliest online communities - AOL ancestor, Facebook, and other social services.

Laurene Powell Jobs took the computer with her son, Reed, during the ceremony of the time devoted to the 35th anniversary of the organization Seva. During this time, Seva helped save the eyesight of 3.5 million people in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Tibet, India and other countries.

"Surprisingly, Seva found the Apple II, presented by Steve. Our family is thrilled to have him back. "

Drawing on interviews with Jobs over the years Brilliant sure that Jobs had he lived a little longer, eventually would pay attention to charity. Within 2 years after Jobs's death, his wife, whose fortune is estimated at $ 11 billion, has become a prominent figure in charitable activities, as well as in initiatives regarding US immigration reform, education reform and control weapon.

Diamond said that Jobs did not share their wealth before because Apple has been all-consuming passion for him. Jobs himself had spoken to him about it:

"I know how to do well only one. I think I can help the world by doing this. "

(via)