I met Woz when I was 13, at a friend's garage. He was about 18.

"I met Woz when I was 13, at a friend's garage. He was about 18. He was, like, the first person I met who knew more electronics than I did at that point. We became good friends, because we shared an interest in computers and we had a sense of humor. We pulled all kinds of pranks together." – Steve Jobs

In the unfolding saga of human innovation, there are moments that define the course of history. It is often in the most humble of places that the seeds of greatness are sown—such as in the quiet confines of a garage, where two young souls, driven by a shared love for electronics and curiosity, would unknowingly begin the journey that would forever change the world. Steve Jobs recalls the meeting of two minds—his own and Woz’s—in a simple but powerful moment of connection. In that moment, when he was just 13 and Wozniak was 18, Jobs encountered someone who knew more than he did, a rare and formative experience that would go on to shape the course of both their lives and the future of technology.

To meet someone who knows more than oneself is a moment of both humility and inspiration. Jobs, in his youth, had the drive, the vision, and the unyielding curiosity to delve into the world of computers, but it was the meeting of minds with Woz that illuminated the way forward. Wozniak’s knowledge of electronics surpassed Jobs’ own, a fact that would have intimidated many. Yet, rather than seeing this as a challenge to his ego, Jobs embraced it, seeing Woz’s wisdom as a beacon, a sign of what could be achieved through the merging of their talents. Together, their shared interest in computers and sense of humor created a bond that transcended mere technical collaboration—it became a friendship built on mutual respect, joy, and a shared vision for what the world could become.

In ancient times, great minds often found each other in unlikely places. Consider the meeting of Plato and Socrates, whose conversations would lay the foundation for Western philosophy. Socrates, the teacher, was not content with the simple answers provided by the world around him. He sought deeper truths, and in Plato, he found not just a student, but a companion who shared his thirst for knowledge. Similarly, Jobs and Wozniak, two young visionaries, would find in each other a partnership that defied the ordinary. They were not just building computers; they were building a new paradigm for the world—one that would change the course of human history forever.

Their journey was not one of simple creation; it was a journey of collaboration and playfulness, a reminder that innovation is often born from joy and creativity, not just work. Jobs and Wozniak were not merely engineers—they were, in a sense, the embodiment of the ancient spirit of play, the belief that through laughter and exploration, we discover the true potential of our minds. Their pranks were not trivial acts of mischief; they were the playful expressions of two minds exploring the boundaries of what was possible. Through this sense of humor, they were able to approach their work with the kind of freedom that allowed them to innovate beyond what anyone thought possible at the time.

Consider the story of Da Vinci, whose curiosity and sense of play led him to explore not only art but also science and engineering. Da Vinci’s genius lay not just in his technical mastery but in his ability to see the world through the lens of both wonder and invention. In much the same way, Jobs and Wozniak approached the world of computers—not merely as a tool, but as a playground for ideas, a realm where creativity and curiosity could meet and explode into something greater than either of them could have imagined. The lesson here is clear: great things are not always built through the rigidity of effort alone, but through the joy and freedom found in collaboration and imagination.

The lesson we learn from Steve Jobs’ meeting with Woz is not simply one of technological achievement, but of the importance of relationships in shaping our journeys. It teaches us that the right partnerships—whether with friends, colleagues, or mentors—can fuel the fire of our own potential. To meet someone who complements our own knowledge and skills is a gift. It is through these relationships that we grow, that we push the boundaries of what we can achieve. Humility, in acknowledging the strengths of others, is as important as confidence in one’s own abilities.

As we look at our own lives, we must ask ourselves: Are we open to meeting those who know more than we do? Do we seek out relationships that challenge us, that allow us to grow in new ways? Steve Jobs and Wozniak were not simply partners in technology; they were partners in vision, in laughter, and in the belief that together they could create something extraordinary. As we move through our own paths, let us seek out such relationships, for in them lies not only growth and innovation, but the joy of shared creation, shared laughter, and shared purpose.