Life Path

I have to admit, I'm a little confused by your question. I'll answer it both ways:
1) Apple computers are quite popular in academia. You shouldn't have any problems using one if that is what you prefer.
2) Apple Computer is a computer company. They have next to no interest in mathematics or theoretical physics. If you want to work with Apple Computer, get a computer science degree.

 

I don't really understand what you're asking. Do you want a part-time appointment as a professor, and part-time as an IT professional? I don't think that's realistic today. Maybe 20 years ago, you could have been "the computer guy" in a department, but not today.

 

Why not toss in fighter pilot, symphony orchestra musician, and professional athlete in the mix as well?

You're asking to hold three jobs, at least two of which are highly competitive, simultaneously.

To get an idea of how realistic this is, how many Apple employees today are also professors in two fields?

 

I once wanted to do theoretical physics and mathematics. So two of the three you wanted to do. But now, mathematics is even too broad for me. In fact one branch of mathematics like algebra is still too broad. Even one area of algebra like group theory is too broad.

 

I'm a journalist, a spy for the CIA, an astronaut, and a circus clown, all the while having won countless Nobel prizes and Fields medals. So it can be done.

 

Seriously is there anyone in history or contemporary times who has held prominent positions in both academia and industry simultaneously?

 

In history, probably...

 

Von Nueman for one. Infact he literally would fit being a theoretical physcist, mathematician and if apple computers did exist during his time, would probably wanted to sought his specialties as he was after all the founder of modern computing.

 

Take a look at the last sentence. One way to judge how likely something is is to look at all the existing examples of it. Are there many? Are there any?

 

They tend to fall into two categories - professors in business schools (obviously), and professors in technical areas who form startups. Examples of the latter would be Amar Bose (Bose) or Harold Edgerton (EG&G).

 

I was also going to suggest that a lot of engineering professors that I've met were recruited by the university after being very successful in industry, and a couple of them maintain their industry work while being adjunct professors or what have you, but it seems like most end up having to choose one or the other.

So it's not impossible, and I guess not even that uncommon, to work simultaneously in industry and academia. I've never met anyone who maintained a lifelong career in both, though. When you add the specific detail that the academic work is in math and theoretical physics, then it seems even less likely, in light of the fact that, as mentioned before, Apple doesn't really need any theoretical physicists.

 

I would say Ivan Sutherland also managed to be prominent in both. Although you could argue that he moved back and forth between them rather than doing them simultaneously.