Tribute to Jobs' early support of Graphisoft

Architectural software firm Graphisoft has debuted its 7-foot-tall statue of Apple's iconic co-founder Steve Jobs in its self-named technology park in Budapest, Hungary, AppleInsider notes. The artwork, commissioned by Graphisoft founder Gabor Bojar and created by sculptor Erno Toth, shows Jobs engaged in one of his most common activities, giving a presentation. Jobs was an early supporter of the company's ArchiCAD software.

ArchiCAD, which is still being sold today (at version 15 now) was first produced in 1984 and ran on the Apple Lisa computer (the first Mac version debuted 25 years ago this year). The company says Jobs first saw the product at a CEBIT conference in Hannover, Germany, and was so impressed that he directed Apple to give the fledging Hungarian firm infusions of cash and computers that were not even yet available in Hungary to help the company further develop the product, as well as access to its worldwide distribution network which the firm relies on to this day.

Although ArchiCAD is now sold on other platforms as well, it continues to be made for the Mac and is a popular option both in and outside the primary architectural markets of the US, Germany and Japan, with over 200,000 customers. The company and its founders regard Jobs as a great benefactor who was instrumental to its early success. Graphisoft calls Jobs "the greatest hero of the information age" and praises his "emotional tie" to technology. At the time of Jobs' support, Graphisoft was part of what was then communist Hungary, and the attention and praise from a global western company like Apple made a big impression.

The statue is located in the heart of a technology center in Budapest that has many clients in the buildings that surround the park, including the local Apple corporate office, Microsoft, Canon and SAP. The neatly-manicured and carefully-planned park are said by Graphisoft to reflect Jobs' ethos of design and purity, an accessible elegance that was generally reflected in his products but was also demonstrated late in Jobs' life, for example with the design he championed for Apple's forthcoming new headquarters.

Graphisoft CEO Viktor Varkonyi said that "with its attention to excellence in every detail, Graphisoft Park’s environment embodies the spirit of Steve Jobs," adding that he couldn't think of a better place to commemorate Jobs' legacy. The country of Hungary has also issued a memorial stamp of Jobs in tribute to his life as well. The statue is made of bronze and is reported to weigh nearly 500 pounds. At the foot of the statue is a quote from Jobs: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." [via AppleInsider]

by MacNN Staff