White ear-buds became the accessory of the decade when iPods became a necessity in everyone’s daily life, and without Steve Jobs, they never would have existed.

A creator, innovator and revolutionary in the technological world, Steve Jobs was one of the most transformative leaders in the multimedia world in the last thirty years.

On October 5, Jobs died of respiratory issues after a long, publicized battle with pancreatic cancer dating back to 2004.

In August, Jobs stepped down as CEO of Apple Inc, citing that he could no longer adequately run the company and he vowed to keep the promise that he made to the company previously. At the time that Jobs stepped down as CEO, Tim Cook was appointed to his position, though Jobs remained as Board Chairman until his death.

Jobs single-handedly revolutionized the technological world with his products; iPods, iPhones and iPads are sold by the millions quarterly. On October 10, the iPhone 4S broke Apple’s record for sales in a single day -surpassing the iPhone 4’s record–by selling one million units in a single day, five days prior to the phone’s physical release date.

“The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come,” Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, said. “For those of us who were lucky enough to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.”

In the past, Apple stock performance was directly reflected by Steve Jobs’ health. When Jobs took leave from the company for illness, stock prices periodically dropped.

Similarly, when Jobs announced his resignation as CEO, Apple stock prices dropped five percent in after-hours trading.

Though many question Apple’s ability to function without Jobs as CEO, Jobs had already planned all of Apple products’ releases through the next four years.

This will undoubtedly be able to carry the company forward, even without his physical presence.