The computing pioneer died on Saturday at his home in California, his family said in a statement. Raskin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2004.
- INDEPTH: Birth of Personal Computing
Jef Raskin, a computer interface expert who conceived the Apple Computer Inc. Macintosh computer, is shown with the original Apple II computer. (AP photo)
- INDEPTH: Computer Security
Raskin, a former computer science professor, joined Apple in 1978 as the company's 31st employee. At the time, computers used mainly text-based interfaces that required users to remember and type commands to perform tasks.
In 1979, Raskin pioneered the idea of affordable, easy-to-use computers for consumers, not computer professionals.
Raskin is said to have named the Macintosh after his favourite apple, changing the name slightly to avoid trademark problems.
The designer was removed from the project in 1981, after he had a falling out with Apple boss Steve Jobs. Raskin left the company in 1982.
Apple unveiled the Mac in 1984. The launch changed the personal computer industry by allowing users to click and drag documents on a screen resembling a physical desktop, using a computer mouse.
A similar graphical interface was later adopted by Microsoft Corp's Windows operating system.
Raskin continued to work on software interfaces until his death.
He was also a musician who played three instruments and conducted San Franciso's Chamber Opera Society. His art is displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
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