WIZARDS OF TECHNOLOGY

by Aurelia Jackson

Today, Amazon.com is the world’s most successful online store, selling everything from hand soap to computer parts, from books to children’s toys. But Amazon wasn’t always the amazing success it is now. Years ago, Amazon.com was just the dream of one person: Jeff Bezos. Learn about the man behind one of the most successful online businesses of all time. Discover how he started Amazon and led the company to incredible success. Find out how Jeff and Amazon are planning to change the future of online shopping.

by Aurelia Jackson

Pixar is one of the most successful companies creating movies today. You’ve probably seen at least one of their huge hits, movies such as Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Cars, or Wall•E. Ever since Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers, bought the company from George Lucas, creator of Star Wars, Pixar has changed the way animated movies are made. Steve has turned the company into something incredible. Discover the story of how Steve gave Pixar the chance to make their first movies, how Pixar changed Hollywood—and how Pixar hopes to keep on amazing moviegoers in the future.

by Celicia Scott

Today, Facebook is one of the most-used websites on the Internet, visited by millions of users each day and home to more than 500 million accounts. Many people use Facebook to share pictures, news, and ideas with friends—but they may not know the true story behind Facebook’s massive success. Facebook began as the idea of one college student: Mark Zuckerberg. Discover how Mark founded one of the most successful social networking sites on the Internet while he was still in school. Learn how he first got Facebook growing, and how he keeps millions of people logging in day after day. Find out more about the man behind Facebook—and learn what’s next for his company.

by Aurelia Jackson

Google is one of the most successful companies of the Internet age. For many people, looking up information with Google’s search engine is the best way to find just what they want to know. Millions of people write and read e-mails using Google’s Gmail. You can listen to music on Google Play or share a document with a friend using Google Drive. Today, Google also owns YouTube, the number-one video site on the Internet. You may use Google websites every day, but do you know the story of the men behind Google—Larry Page and Sergey Brin? Find out how Larry and Sergey started the company and how they got their first inspiration. Learn how Google grew to become the amazing success we all know today.

by Rosa Waters

Instagram has had huge success in just a short time. With a popular website and smartphone app, Instagram has become one of the best ways to share pictures with friends. Instagram, however, was once just the idea of two men: Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. Together, these two men have taken Instagram to new heights and made it one of the most popular tech companies. Discover their story. Find out how Instagram grew to what it is today.

by Aurelia Jackson

Today, when you want to watch a movie or television show, there’s a good chance you may choose to watch it using Netflix, one of the most popular video services on the Internet. With thousands of movies and TV shows, Netflix has changed the way we watch our favorite entertainment. You may use Netflix every day—but do you know the story of the man behind the company’s success? Netflix was once only an idea in the mind of Reed Hastings, a businessman who has done amazing things since starting the online movie and TV company. Discover how Reed was able to make Netflix a success around the world—and find out what he has planned next to keep the company on top.

by Rosa Waters

In the last few years, Pinterest has become one of the world’s most popular social networking sites, allowing users to share the things they love with others by “pinning” pictures to an interactive online bulletin board. You may have heard of Pinterest, you may use it yourself—but do you know the story behind the success? Discover the story of how two friends, Ben Silbermann and Evan Sharp, changed social networking with Pinterest. Find out what it took for the two young men to start their own company—and learn what they have planned for the future of Pinterest.

by Aurelia Jackson

In the last few years, Tumblr has become one of the most popular social networking websites. Before Tumblr was the company we know today, however, it was just one of David Karp’s smaller projects. Learn more about one of the most successful young people working in tech—and how he changed the way people share who they are and what they like. Discover the story behind David Karp’s success—and find out what it takes to turn a new company into something amazing.

by Celicia Scott

In the modern world, Twitter has changed the way we talk to each other, the way we share important news, and the way we learn about the world. You’ve probably heard of movie celebrities, politicians, and sports stars using Twitter to communicate with fans, but the social networking site has also done a lot to change the way ordinary people use the Internet. It’s even changed the way we speak! Discover the story of Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s co-founder, and how he helped to create one of the Internet’s biggest successes. Learn how Jack and his friends came up with the ideas for the business that would change their lives—and the lives of so many Internet users—forever.

by Celicia Scott

You probably watch music videos, movie trailers, or funny clips on YouTube—but just a few years ago, YouTube was only an idea a few friends shared. One of those friends was Steve Chen. Learn about the beginning of one of the most important websites ever created. Discover the story of how Steve helped to start the biggest video site on the Internet.