I have a hazy, potentially false memory of a computer hiding in my dad’s closet before our family workstation arrived. In my mind's eye, I can still picture playing a

I have a hazy, potentially false memory of a computer hiding in my dad’s closet before our family workstation arrived. In my mind's eye, I can still picture playing a game featuring a little cursor turtle, though I’ve never been able to find any hard evidence to prove that mystery

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 17, 2011 — The Final Medical Leave March 2, 2011 — iPad 2 Introduction (San Francisco)

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 27, 2010 — The iPad Introduction (San Francisco) April 8, 2010 — iPhone OS 4 Sneak Peek (Cupertino)

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 6, 2009 — The Final Macworld San Francisco January 14, 2009 — Leave of Absence Announced

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 15, 2008 — Macworld San Francisco 2008 March 6, 2008 — iPhone Software Roadmap (Cupertino)

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 9, 2007 — Macworld San Francisco 2007 May 30, 2007 — D: All Things Digital Conference (D5)

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 10, 2006 — Macworld San Francisco 2006 February 28, 2006 — Apple Digital Event (Cupertino)

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 11, 2005 — Macworld San Francisco 2005 May 22, 2005 — D: All Things Digital Conference (D3)

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 6, 2004 — Macworld San Francisco 2004 June 1, 2004 — D: All Things Digital Conference (D2)

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 7, 2003 — Macworld San Francisco 2003 April 28, 2003 — Apple Music Special Event (Cupertino)

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 7, 2002 — Macworld San Francisco 2002 March 20, 2002 — The 10GB iPod & Widescreen Cinema HD Display

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 9, 2001 — Macworld San Francisco 2001 February 21, 2001 — Macworld Tokyo 2001

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 5, 2000 — Macworld San Francisco 2000 February 15–16, 2000 — The Pismo PowerBook & Graphite iBook

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 5, 1999 — Macworld San Francisco 1999 February 21, 1999 — Macworld Tokyo 1999

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 6, 1998 — Macworld San Francisco 1998 February 27, 1998 — The Death of the Newton

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand.

Below is a chronological timeline of the year's defining moments, featuring key quotes from Steve Jobs, followed by my own personal thoughts and reflections on experiencing this historic era firsthand. January 7, 1997 — Macworld San Francisco 1997 February 7, 1997 — NeXT Acquisition Finalized

On Dec. 20, 1996, Apple announced that it had purchased NeXT Computer: When Apple CEO Gil Amelio hosted a press conference in Cupertino's Garden Room to announce the $429 million

On Dec. 20, 1996, Apple announced that it had purchased NeXT Computer: When Apple CEO Gil Amelio hosted a press conference in Cupertino's Garden Room to announce the $429 million cash-and-stock acquisition of NeXT, I was right in the middle of my senior year of high school. At the time,