Steven Paul Jobs was born on February 24, 1955, in San Francisco, California, and was adopted shortly after birth by Paul and Clara Jobs. Growing up in Mountain View, California - the heart of what would become Silicon Valley - Jobs was exposed to the emerging technology culture from an early age. His adoptive father, a machinist, taught him the importance of attention to detail and craftsmanship.
Jobs showed an early interest in electronics and spent time in his family's garage tinkering with gadgets. This garage would later become legendary as the birthplace of Apple Computer. Despite his intelligence, Jobs was a rebellious student who often clashed with authority figures, a trait that would define his leadership style throughout his career.