Image a world without the iPod for a minute… Now imagine the world without the computer mouse… Not that’s thinking differently. As one of the most prolific technological company chiefs, the late Steve Jobs is personally listed as co-inventor on 317 Apple patents. Looking at the epic interactive patent feature from The New York Times, we can clearly see the passion for design in these illustration pages, from the first ever, monitor-less Mac, to the color translucent cases (oh, remember those?) to the various species of iPods, iPhones and iPads. We think these pages, in their minimalism loaded with revolutionary potential, serve as a truly appropriate tribute to the legacy of Steve Jobs. See some nostalgia-inducing classics and a few incredible, not-quite-there oddities — a phone dialing interface for your iPod click wheel? Oh Steve! — in our slide show of favorites.
1983, Personal computer. Image via The New York Times
2004, Display device with a moveable assembly. Image via The New York Times
1999, Computer enclosure. Image via The New York Times
2009, Text entry interface for a portable communication device. Image via The New York Times
2008, Electronic device. Image via The New York Times
2011, User programmable switch for portable data processing devices. Image via The New York Times
2010, Media device. Image via The New York Times
2010, Telephone interface for a portable communication device. Image via The New York Times
1999, Cursor control device. Image via The New York Times
2005, Display device with a moveable assembly. Image via The New York Times
2003, Media player. Image via The New York Times
2011, Media device. Image via The New York Times
2009, Electronic device. Image via The New York Times
2005, Electronic device. Image via The New York Times