Gordon Moore, one of the co-founders of Intel Corporation, passed away on March 24, 2023 at the age of 94. Moore was a pioneer in the semiconductor industry and played a key role in the development of the microchip. Here are 8 facts to know about him and his contributions to technology:
1. Co-founder of Intel Corporation: Gordon Moore was one of the co-founders of Intel Corporation, along with Robert Noyce. The company was founded in 1968 and went on to become one of the largest and most influential technology companies in the world.
2. Inventor of Moore’s Law: In 1965, Moore observed that the number of transistors in a microchip was doubling approximately every two years. This observation, known as Moore’s Law, has been a guiding principle in the semiconductor industry for more than five decades and has driven rapid technological advancement.
3. Career at Fairchild Semiconductor: Before co-founding Intel, Moore worked at Fairchild Semiconductor, where he was part of the team that developed the first commercially successful integrated circuit. He also co-founded a startup called “Moore Electronics” which eventually merged with Fairchild.
4. National Medal of Technology and Innovation: Moore was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of technology.
5. Philanthropy: Moore and his wife, Betty, were known for their philanthropy. In 2001, they donated $600 million to the California Institute of Technology, which was the largest gift to a university at the time. They also established the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which supports scientific research and environmental conservation.
6. Honorary Degrees: Moore received numerous honorary degrees throughout his career, including degrees from Harvard University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Notre Dame.
7. Author: Moore was the author of several influential papers in the field of semiconductor technology, including “The Economics of Integrated Circuit Fabrication” and “Progress in Digital Integrated Electronics.”
8. Personal life: Moore was born in San Francisco, California, in 1929. He married his wife, Betty, in 1950 and they had two sons together. In his free time, Moore enjoyed sailing and photography.
