Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Has Been Using His Own Custom $2 Bills for Over 30 Years

Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak’s Unique $2 Bills Tradition Spans Over 30 Years

Renowned tech innovator and Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, has a fascinating tradition of using his custom $2 bills that has continued for more than three decades. The 75-year-old entrepreneur revealed this quirky aspect of his financial habits in a captivating 2011 interview with Engadget.

In the interview, Wozniak showcased a pad of his custom $2 bills to the audience, sharing that he had them made by a printer in his hometown of Los Gatos, California. These bills, unlike the standard $2 bills featuring Thomas Jefferson, were stamped with Wozniak’s name – “WOZ,” adding a personal touch to his currency.

Despite the customisation, Wozniak adheres to legal practices by obtaining real, uncut sheets of bills from the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. He then collaborates with a print shop in California to transform these sheets into convenient pads of bills with added perforations for easy tearing.

Acknowledging the potential legal concerns surrounding customised currency, Wozniak clarified that his $2 bills meet government specifications, making them legitimate legal tender. He emphasised that while one could potentially face arrest for using these custom bills, they ultimately abide by the law, allowing him to spend them without fear of conviction.

In a blog post archived on his website, Wozniak elaborated on the comedic nature of his custom $2 bill tradition. He shared insights into purchasing uncut currency sheets from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, highlighting the whimsical aspect of cutting off individual bills for transactions. Despite the light-hearted approach, these custom bills remain valid forms of payment.

Wozniak’s unconventional currency hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he recalled an amusing encounter with the Secret Service due to his custom $2 bills. Not shying away from creativity, he even presented a prank document in response, showcasing his penchant for playful antics alongside his unique currency preference.

Throughout his years of using these custom $2 bills, Wozniak has encountered varied reactions, including instances where establishments like In-N-Out Burger in California declined these bills. Nevertheless, he continues to enjoy using them in his transactions, sharing his custom bills with friends and amusedly selling sheets for a nominal fee.

In reflecting on his enduring tradition, Wozniak’s custom $2 bills serve not only as a distinct form of legal tender but also as a whimsical expression of his personality. As a pioneering figure in the tech industry, his unconventional approach to currency underscores his inventive spirit and willingness to add a touch of creativity to everyday transactions.