Tim Cook is considering a merger between Apple and Steve Jobs

In an August 2024 letter published today by The Steve Jobs Archive, Tim Cook reflected on joining Apple and what he learned from working with Steve Jobs.

Jobs convinced Cook to join Apple in 1998 to help turn the company around:

I’ll never forget that first conversation with Steve. At the time, Apple was struggling and Steve was working to right the ship, which had drifted in his absence. Many people doubted that the company could survive, and I was warned that there would be risks involved in accepting a job there. But when Steve spoke, any apprehension I had harbored instantly vanished. I have never met anyone with so much passion and perspective. He spoke with charisma and clarity—about a future where technology can unlock the wellspring of human creativity and potential, connecting and uplifting us in ways he could never have imagined.

Cook said joining Apple was the best decision he ever made:

In Steve, I found an incredible mentor who inspired me to grow and challenge myself in new and important ways. And when I joined Apple, I traded my job for a purpose that still drives me today. It was truly the greatest decision I have ever made.

The Steve Jobs Archive has shared letters from many of today’s influential leaders, including former Apple design chief Jony Ive, Disney CEO Bob Iger, famed designer Dieter Rams, and more. The letters were previously shared only with colleagues from the Steve Jobs Archive. There’s also a new introductory letter from Laurene Powell Jobs.

The Steve Jobs Archive released the letters on what would have been Jobs’ 71st birthday. They are available for free on the web and in the Apple Books app.

The Steve Jobs Archive was launched by Jobs’ friends and family in 2022. The website features a collection of quotes, photos, videos and emails from Jobs and offers scholarships to young creators who want to follow in his footsteps.