Status: 03/25/2023 1:19 p.m
Your own PC at home – unthinkable 50 years ago. But Gordon Moore recognized the potential of the small computer chips – and shaped the culture in Silicon Valley. Now the Intel co-founder died at the age of 94.
The chip manufacturer Intel is one of the pioneers on the way to your own PC. Gordon Moore founded the group in 1968, then still as NM Electronics, together with his colleague Robert “Bob” Noyce.
The two had had enough of their previous jobs at a semiconductor manufacturer, explains Elizabeth Jones, a historian at Intel, in an interview with broadcaster CBS: “In 1968 Gordon Moore stopped by Bob Noyce. Bob was mowing the lawn. The two discussed their current jobs – and the possibilities of a new industry.”
Potential of small computer chips recognized
The two Intel founders recognized the potential of the small computer chips – made from silicon plates and developed in an area of California that is still called Silicon Valley for a reason.
Intel co-founders Robert Noyce (center) and Gordon Moore (right) with Andy Grove (left) in 1978.
Image: AFP
Compared to the prominent heads of today’s tech giants, Moore seems almost shy. In a TV report from the 1990s, he reveals one of Intel’s recipes for success: “In a business like this, the people who have the power are not necessarily the ones who are at the top. It’s very important that the People who have the knowledge also make the decisions. We make sure that everyone who has this knowledge can also make decisions on an equal footing.”
“Moore’s Law” writes computer history
Moore fueled the rapid development of computer chips with a daring thesis. In 1965 he predicted that the capacity of semiconductors – i.e. the complexity of integrated circuits – could be doubled over and over again within a few months. And indeed, the chips developed as rapidly as Moore had predicted. The phenomenon writes computer history as “Moore’s law”.
As long-time Intel employee-turned-investor John Doerr points out to CBS, “Moore’s law is not a law of physics. It’s the result of thousands, tens of thousands of people continuously improving.”
Moore until 1987 CEO at Intel
To this day, Intel continues to drive the race for ever better, stronger and smaller chips. The group is still the world market leader, even if the competition has caught up. Co-founder Moore guided the company’s strategy until 1987 as CEO.
According to Intel, he died surrounded by his family in Hawaii – he was 94 years old.
Intel co-founder Gordon Moore dies aged 94
Sebastian Schreiber, HR, 3/25/2023 12:02 p.m