IQ Archive
Engineer & Apple Co-founder

Steve Wozniak

Estimated Cognitive Quotient 160

Cognitive Analysis

Introduction: The Wizard of Woz

Steve Wozniak is the quintessential “Engineer’s Engineer.” While Steve Jobs was the visionary marketer, Wozniak was the computational engine that made the vision possible. With a tested IQ of 160, Wozniak possesses a “Hardware Genius” that allowed him to simplify complex electronic circuits in ways that confounded even the best engineers of his era.

The Cognitive Blueprint: Logico-Mathematical and Spatial Perfection

Wozniak’s intelligence is a masterclass in Logical-Mathematical and Visual-Spatial dominance.

  • Minimalist Circuitry: His greatest genius was “reduction.” He could design a computer board with half as many chips as his competitors, a feat that required him to hold the entire electrical logic of a machine in his mind simultaneously.
  • The Apple II Architecture: He wrote the entire operating system, built the hardware, and designed the disk drive controller for the Apple II by himself. This level of Full-Stack Synthesis is a hallmark of the top 0.1% of cognitive performers.

Pure Intellectual Curiosity

Wozniak’s approach to technology is driven by Intrapersonal Joy.

  • Hacker Ethos: He didn’t build computers for money; he built them to see if he could. This “Playful Logic” is a common trait among high-IQ individuals who view complex problems as puzzles for personal amusement.
  • Algorithmic Elegance: His ability to write code that was both efficient and creative shows a high degree of Fluid Intelligence. He didn’t just follow rules; he invented more efficient ones.

Philanthropy and Education

After leaving Apple, Wozniak focused on teaching and “unplugged” technology.

  • The Human Side: Despite his high technical IQ, he has a high degree of Social Warmth. He values the democratization of technology, believing that the true purpose of intelligence is to empower children and students.

Conclusion: The Engineer of the Era

Steve Wozniak remains the gold standard for technical brilliance. He used his 160 IQ to build the tools that would define the next century of human life. In the IQ Archive, he stands as the representative of Pure Hardware and Engineering Genius—the man who proved that the most complex problems often have the most elegant solutions.