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You are here: News > News > Happy Birthday, Planar Integrated Circuit!
| » IT Security NEWS |
| » 09 May 2009 |
| Happy Birthday, Planar Integrated Circuit! |
| Friday night's rendezvous through memory lane was observed the way a half-century birthday party should be celebrated: with alcohol, hors d'oeuvres, party favors, and a reunion of old comrades rejoicing fifty years of wistful nostalgia and continuing triumphs. But even as the affair wore on at the Computer History Museum, it was still hard to exaggerate the impact of the integrated circuit on both the IT industry and modern society as a whole. The sheer magnitude of this particular birthday cannot be overstated or underestimated. John Hollar, CEO of the Computer History Museum, opened up the evening's ceremonies by illustrating the overall impact of the integrated circuit (IC) in this manner: "It became the electronics technology through which we have created our contemporary digital world. It is indispensable to modern life." In other words, the IC reshaped modern civilization in ways comparable to the first wheel or the discovery of steel. It is a remarkable and inimitable invention that served as the blueprint for future technology. 1959 was the year where the hardworking men of Fairchild Semiconductor first invented the planar integrated circuit. Yesterday, two of the most famous living developers of that team—Jay Last and Gordon Moore—were honored by 400 adoring fans, former colleagues, and friends for their roles in creating the modern structure of the integrated circuit that currently powers everything from cellphones to giant server farms for the Internet. Last and Moore, both 80 years old, were once part of the eight pioneers who famously left Shockley Semiconductor in order to achieve success by themselves through establishing their own company (Fairchild Semiconductor), which in turn led to the creation of the first IC. Leslie Berlin, a Silicon Valley archivist for Stanford University who spoke at the prestigious event, claims Fairchild Semiconductor to be "the Google of its day". He and fellow historian Christophe Lecuyer also recounted the numerous contributions of the late Robert Noyce and Jean Hoerni in the semiconductor industry. Fifty years ago, Fairchild was racing against time and Texas Instrument's plans of building its own integrated circuit. Fairchild would ultimately win the patent on the IC after a long, protracted legal battle over the invention once it was built. The implications and influence of the circuit wasn't immediately apparent back in those days. Only through hindsight can everyone see the overall impact of this marvelous device. As for what's next for the industry, Moore and Last concurred that silicon technology is the current technological trend for years to come. Moore then added that whatever the next big thing is, it must "spring full blown" and move the industry in a whole new different direction. |
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