They’re newsmakers without even trying. We’re talking about the innovators, politicians, activists, heroes and, yes, villains who inspire headlines. We know their stories; but that just makes casting them that much harder. Here they are: Newsmakers and the stars who have tackled their stories onscreen.

You’re using one now to click through this gallery, but did you ever wonder about the history of the computer? Or the iPod, or Twitter? Snakkle looks back at some of America’s most influential tech nerds—spitball targets who became business magnates. Remember, bullies, one day those nerds will run the world!

Unparalleled technological and entrepreneurial pioneer Steve Jobs passed away on October 5, 2011, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Snakkle takes a look back at some of his life and career milestones.