Irwin M. Jacobs

Date of Birth: October 18, 1933

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

Irwin Mark Jacobs is an American electrical engineer, businessman, and philanthropist. He is best known as the co-founder and former chairman of Qualcomm, a telecommunications company that played a pivotal role in the development of mobile communication technologies. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Jacobs demonstrated an early aptitude for science and engineering, which led him to pursue higher education at Cornell University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He later received his Master’s and Doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1985, Jacobs co-founded Qualcomm with Andrew Viterbi, and the company quickly became a leader in developing code-division multiple access (CDMA) technology, which is a critical component of cellular communication. Under Jacobs’ leadership, Qualcomm grew exponentially, becoming a multibillion-dollar enterprise. He stepped down as CEO in 2005 but remained involved in the company as Chairman until 2009. In addition to his business achievements, Jacobs is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He and his wife, Joan, have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to educational, cultural, and scientific institutions. Their contributions have made significant impacts on institutions such as the San Diego Symphony, the University of California, San Diego, and Cornell University.

5 Interesting Facts about Irwin M. Jacobs

1. Irwin M. Jacobs received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 1994.

2. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and has received numerous honorary degrees.

3. Jacobs and his wife, Joan, are signatories of The Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.

4. Qualcomm’s CDMA technology, which Jacobs helped to develop, is used in all 3G mobile devices and many 4G devices.

5. In 2013, Jacobs was listed by Forbes as one of the world’s billionaires, with a net worth of over $1 billion.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Irwin M. Jacobs

1. “Innovation is the key to success in any business.”

2. “Technology has the power to transform lives, and we should harness that power for the greater good.”

3. “Philanthropy is not just about giving money; it’s about making a difference.”

4. “Leadership is about being visionary and inspiring others to achieve great things.”

5. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Irwin M. Jacobs is estimated to be around $1.2 billion.

Children

Irwin M. Jacobs and his wife, Joan, have four sons: Jeffrey, Hal, Paul, and Gary. Paul E. Jacobs served as the CEO and executive chairman of Qualcomm from 2005 to 2014.