Steve Jobs Dead: Key Events in His Life (PHOTOS)

Steve Jobs' death at the age of 56 brings to an end one of the most pioneering lives in the history of technological innovations and creations. The middle-class, college drop-out hippie single-handedly revolutionized the way we look at and live with technology.

Jobs was a long-time patient of a rare form of pancreatic cancer and took several leave of absences from his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Apple Inc., the company he co-founded. Apple announced his death in a brief statement, providing few details: "We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today."

Following his death on Wednesday, the apple.com Web site opens with Jobs' black-and-white photograph, along with his date of birth and demise; clicking on the image takes the viewer to another page, on which reads: "Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

Start the slide-show to view key events in Jobs' life.

Steve Jobs stands beneath a photograph of him and Apple-co founder Steve Wozniak from the early days.

Apple Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs is shown in this combination photo of file photographs dating (top row L to R) July 2000, November 2003, September 2005, (bottom L to R) September 2006, January 2007 and September 2008.

Steve Jobs holds the new " iPad" during the launch of Apple's new tablet computing device in San Francisco, California, in this January 27, 2010 file photo.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the new version of Apple's iMac computer at the Macworld Conference and Expo in San Francisco January 10, 2006.

Apple Computer Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs holds the new iPhone in San Francisco, California January 9, 2007.

Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs displays a redesigned iPod Nano at Apple's "Let's Rock" media event in San Francisco, California September 9, 2008.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs holds Apple's new Macbook Air notebook computer as he delivers his keynote address during the Macworld Convention and Expo in San Francisco January 15, 2008.

Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs holds up the new Apple release iPod in Cupertino, California October 23, 2001.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs poses with the new iPhone 4 during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, June 7, 2010.

Steve Jobs poses with the company's new iBook portable computer at the MacWorld computer trade show in New York in this July 21, 1999 file photo.

Steve Jobs holds a box containing Apple's new Mac OS X operating system while giving the keynote address at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California, May 21, 2001.

Steve Jobs said "creativity is just connecting things."

Apple Computer's Interim CEO Steve Jobs delivers the keynote speech at the MacWorld Expo at San Francisco's Marriott Hotel, January 6.

Apple Computer Corp. on Sept. 16 named Steven Jobs as Interim chief executive officer two months after Gil Amelio resigned from the position. Jobs is shown at a press conference at the first international NEXTWORLD Expo in San Francisco, Calif. Jan. 22, 1992.

Apple interim CEO Steve Jobs stands next to the new iMAC DV Special Edition that is encased in a new clear graphite color and includes a DVD drive in Cupertino, California, October 5.

Flowers and a photograph of Steve Jobs are placed against the window outside an Apple store in Boston, Massachusetts October 5, 2011.

Flowers adorn the sidewalk outside the home of Apple Inc co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs in Palo Alto, California, October 5, 2011. Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on October 5, 2011 at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues.