Steve Jobs: The man who defined the modern age is dead

In cities across the US and Europe, devotees gathered outside Apple stores, sticking a forest of condolence cards and Post-it notes on the windows. At Mr Jobs’ home in Silicon Valley, California, a sombre crowd laid flowers and half-eaten apples to look like the company’s iconic logo.

The pioneering former chief executive, who died on Wednesday, aged 56, had been suffering from pancreatic cancer. In a statement, Apple said he died peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Mr Jobs, who resigned from the company he co-founded in August, citing ill-health, is synonymous with some of the world’s best-selling electronic devices: the iPhone, the iPad and the iPod. At Apple headquarters, flags flew at half mast as Mr Jobs’ successor, Tim Cook, sent a tribute e-mail to employees.

“Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor,” Mr Cook wrote. “His spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple. We will honour his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.”

Elsewhere world leaders and celebrities lined up to pay tribute and applaud the achievements of a man who started one of the world’s biggest companies with a high school friend in a garage.

Bill Gates, founder of rival company Microsoft but also a friend of Mr Jobs, said he would miss him “immensely”.

“The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come,” he said.

US president Barack Obama said: “Steve was among the greatest of American innovators – brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.

“He transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world. The world has lost a visionary.”

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Steve Jobs transformed the way we work and play; a creative genius who will be sorely missed.”

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page: “Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.”

A statement issued by Mr Jobs’ family said: “In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family.

“We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness.

“We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.”

Mr Jobs started Apple Computer with school friend Steve Wozniak in his garage in 1976. A decade later, Mr Jobs was forced out of the company after a disagreement with its leadership. Mr Wozniak also left.

He returned in the mid-1990s and transformed Apple into one of the world’s most powerful companies. Customers didn’t just hand money over for products – they became fans and devotees.

Mr Jobs, described by many as an industry oracle, survived pancreatic cancer in 2004 before receiving a liver transplant in 2009. He had taken three spells of leave over the past few years, most recently in January.

After quitting Apple in 1985, Mr Jobs went on to co-found Pixar Animation Studios, which has created some of the most successful animated films of all time including Toy Story, A Bug’s Life and Finding Nemo. In 2006, he sold Pixar to Walt Disney and secured a seat on the board.

He returned to Apple as an adviser in 1996 – a year in which it lost $900 million (£580m) as Microsoft Windows-based PCs dominated the computer market. The tide started to turn following the hugely successful 1998 release of the iMac and Mr Jobs later became chief executive.

Apple’s popularity grew across the world throughout the past decade with the introduction of its sleek line of iPods, the iPhone and more recently the iPad.

Mr Jobs’ starring role in the Apple story won him the adoration of fans from various backgrounds.

Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Sons, the global business group based in India, said: “Steve Jobs has been one of the greatest icons of the modern era. His untimely death is a huge loss to us all. His creativity, innovativeness and unbelievable attention to detail in every single area gave the world the early personal computer, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad which have perhaps brought about the greatest change in the way people listen to music, view images, exchange data and communicate.”

Former prime minister Tony Blair said: “As much as anyone in any walk of life in the early 21st century, he changed people’s lives simply by imagination and determination. His memory will serve as a symbol of what the human mind can achieve.”