A thinker, Jobs is touted as "the Beatles of computing"

May 3, 2010 12:12 GMT  ·  By

Steve Jobs is featured on TIME’s cover after he has been included on the magazine’s 2010 list of The World's Most Influential People. Divided into five major categories, TIME 100 2010 lists Jobs as a thinker, while other categories include Leaders, Heroes, and Artists.

Jeff Koons, an artist based in New York City, is Time’s voice on Steve Jobs for the 2010 issue of TIME 100, a ranking naming the people who affect our world the most.

“Apple's core ideal has always been to make people's experience of computing as accessible and pleasurable as possible. As a young man, Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, decided to be the Beatles of computing. I once said that I make what the Beatles would have made if they made sculpture, and I can appreciate how Steve, 55, applies their ethos of optimism to his work. The tools he has given us, from the Macs at my studio to the iPhone in my pocket, are like clean, new windows, fitting between our selves and our work elegantly, naturally and unobtrusively.

It's great to see Steve stay true to his vision. I can imagine some young artist saying today, 'I make what Steve Jobs would make if he made sculpture.'”

Times’s Leaders include Sarah Palin, Manmohan Singh and others who help global movements. The Heroes illustrate the feats of an urban farmer, an air-traffic controller in Haiti and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. The Artist’s category couldn’t have possibly skipped the hugely popular Lady Gaga, as well as Conan O'Brien and others, while the social-networking category offers an in-depth look at who holds the most influence in the interconnected world. Besides Steve Jobs, other listed thinkers include scientists, and statesmen.

Apple’s Chief Executive Officer is also one of the four Jim Henson honorees this year, announced by Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company. According to the official report, “The highest Henson Honor goes to an individual, organization or product that makes the world a better place by inspiring people to celebrate life.” Steve Jobs featured on the Time magazine cover