Semiconductor maker Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, who pioneered a theory about the technological evolution of computer chips, died on March 24 at the age of 94.
Silicon Valley is in mourning.
The bastion of American technology has just lost one of its founders.
Gordon Moore, co-founder of semiconductor giant Intel, died on March 24.
“Intel and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation announced today that the company’s co-founder, Gordon Moore, has passed away at the age of 94,” a statement read.
The foundation he established with his wife Betty in 2000 reported that Moore died peacefully, surrounded by family at their home in Hawaii. The Moore Foundation has donated more than $5.1 billion to charitable causes since it was founded.
Moore, a chemistry doctor, and his former colleague, physicist Robert Noyce, nicknamed the “mayor of Silicon Valley,” created NM Electronics in 1968. A few months later, the two men bought the Intel name for $15,000.
Moore initially served as the company’s executive vice president until 1975, when he became president. In 1979, Moore was named chairman of the board and chief executive officer. He stayed on as CEO for almost 10 years. In 1987, he resigned as CEO and continued as president. In 1997 Moore became Chairman Emeritus, resigning in 2006.
Importance of Moore’s Law
In 1971 Intel (INTC) – Get a free reportcommercialized the first microprocessor, the equivalent of a computer on a chip, a programmable processor containing several thousand transistors, a revolution. The most important piece of a computer, the Intel microprocessor powered about 80% of the world’s personal computers.
However, Intel has given some ground to semiconductor groups like Samsung and TSMC, whose revenues are higher. Moore will be remembered for developing what is known as Moore’s Law.
In 1965, while working for Fairchild Semiconductor, Moore predicted, in an article published in Electronics magazine, that the density of transistors in integrated circuits would double every year.
He would revise his projection in 1975, similarly empirically, so that the density doubles every two years. Another microchip pioneer, Carver Mead, called this prophecy Moore’s Law.
The evolution of microprocessor capabilities has followed Moore’s Law for decades, increasing electronics and computing performance while lowering costs.
According to various estimates, the cost of a transistor has been reduced by several hundred million times since the early 1960s. This evolution has revolutionized computing and electronics, first with personal computers, then with various devices, until reaching to the mobile phone.
Experts predict that Moore’s Law will soon cease to apply due to the physical limits of integrating transistors into a circuit.
Tributes to Gordon Moore
Tributes to Moore began pouring in as soon as his death was announced.
“The world lost a giant in Gordon Moore, who was one of the founding fathers of Silicon Valley and a true visionary who helped pave the way for the technological revolution. All of us who follow him owe him a debt of gratitude,” the Apple CEO wrote on Twitter. Tim Cook. “May he rest in peace.”
Pat Gelsinger, the CEO of Intel, said Moore “defined the technology industry through his insight and vision.”
“He was instrumental in revealing the power of transistors and inspiring technologists and entrepreneurs throughout the decades. We at Intel continue to be inspired by Moore’s Law and intend to follow it until the periodic table is exhausted.” Gelsinger continued.
