Fairchild Semiconductor

The invention of planar technology 60 years ago revolutionized the computing industry by enabling the delivery of more computing power at lower costs, impacting various aspects of daily life. This technology played a crucial role in the success of Fairchild Semiconductor and the subsequent growth of Silicon Valley.

On September 19, 1957, eight scientists and engineers left their employer to establish Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation. This event, though not widely covered at the time, led to significant technological advancements in electronics and played a crucial role in the development of Silicon Valley.

In October 1957, the Traitorous Eight, a group of former Shockley Laboratories employees including Julius Blank, Victor Grinich, Jean Hoerni, Eugene Kleiner, Jay Last, Gordon Moore, Sheldon Roberts, and Robert Noyce, established Fairchild Semiconductor after leaving their previous company.

In 1959, Fairchild co-founder Jean Hoerni invented the planar process for transistors, which involved covering the structure with an insulating layer of silicon dioxide. This innovation led to the production of more reliable and superior electrical transistors, propelling Fairchild to become the largest producer of high-performance silicon transistors in the United States by the end of 1961.

The introduction of the 'planar process' manufacturing technique, based on an idea from co-founder Jean Hoerni's patent notebook, revolutionized the semiconductor industry.

In March 1961, Fairchild introduced its first integrated circuit, also known as a microchip, which consisted of a digital logic function with only four transistors and five resistors.

In 1962, Fairchild opened its first plant outside the Bay Area in South Portland, Maine, marking a significant expansion for the company.

In 1963, Fairchild hired Robert Widlar to design analog operational amplifiers using Fairchild's process. Widlar collaborated with process engineer Dave Talbert to create revolutionary products µA702 and µA709, dominating the analog integrated circuit market.

In 1964, Fairchild commercialized MOS integrated circuits, building on the earlier development of MOSFETs. This innovation marked a significant milestone in semiconductor technology.

In 1966, Fairchild Semiconductor introduced their integrated circuits, marking a significant advancement in the field of electronics.

In March 1967, Charlie Sporck, who was a key figure at Fairchild Semiconductor, left the company to become the President and CEO of National Semiconductor, a direct competitor. This move could have influenced the competitive landscape of the semiconductor market.

In October 1967, Fairchild Semiconductor purchased air time on 32 TV stations to broadcast a half-hour 'Briefing on Integrated Circuits', considered one of the first television infomercials, to reach a wide audience in the field of electronic systems design.

Co-founder Robert Noyce realized that Planar's technique of interconnecting multiple transistors on a single silicon chip could lead to the development of the integrated circuit (IC) or microchip. This innovation enabled smaller, faster, cheaper, and more reliable electronic systems.

American astronauts successfully land on the moon with the help of Fairchild Semiconductor technology, specifically the integrated circuit-based Apollo Guidance Computer (ACG) mounted on the spacecraft.

In April 1970, a group photo featuring 11 directors responsible for leading the Semiconductor Division was published. The former Motorola executives in the photo were referred to as 'Hogan's Heroes', showcasing the leadership team at that time.

In 1971, Fairchild Semiconductor developed the isoplanar process for semiconductor manufacturing, contributing to further advancements in the industry.

In 1973, Fairchild became the first company to produce a commercial charge-coupled device (CCD) following its invention at Bell Labs.

The Fairchild semiconductor assembly plant in Shiprock, which employed Navajo women, was closed in 1975. Despite its success, the plant ceased operations due to various reasons including labor rights issues and cost considerations.

The Cray 1 supercomputer utilized 65,000 Fairchild high-speed RAM chips for its main memory, showcasing the reliability and performance of Fairchild's memory technology.

Fairchild developed the Fairchild F8 8-bit microprocessor, which became the world's leading microprocessor in terms of CPU sales in 1977.

In 1979, French oilfield services conglomerate Schlumberger purchased Fairchild Semiconductor. This acquisition marked a significant change in ownership for the company.

Under Schlumberger management in 1980, the Fairchild Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence Research (FLAIR) was started within Fairchild Research.

Tom Wolfe's article 'The Tinkerings of Robert Noyce' sheds light on the innovative work of Robert Noyce, a key figure in the development of Silicon Valley.

In 1986, SEMI published a genealogy chart based on Hoefler's research, which included 126 semiconductor companies directly linked to Fairchild.

In 1987, Schlumberger sold the assets of Fairchild Semiconductor to National Semiconductor. This transaction led to a shift in ownership and management of the company.

Robert Noyce, one of the co-inventors of the Integrated Circuit (IC), passed away in 1990. He did not receive the Nobel Prize awarded to Jack Kilby in 2000.

On May 8, 1991, the State Historic Preservation Office designated the site of the invention of the first commercially practicable integrated circuit as a California historical landmark. Dr. Robert Noyce of Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation invented the first integrated circuit at this site in 1959, revolutionizing the semiconductor electronics industry.

Gordon Moore, co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel Corporation, discusses his career in the semiconductor industry, the development of pioneering technology, and the culture of Silicon Valley. He talks about his upbringing, education, working with Bill Shockley, starting Fairchild Semiconductor, developing 'Moore's Law', and founding Intel.

In 1996, National Semiconductor spun off Fairchild Semiconductor as an independent firm headquartered in South Portland, Maine. This move aimed to reposition the company in the semiconductor market.

Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation announced the acquisition of the semiconductor division of the Raytheon Corporation for about $120 million in cash. The acquisition was completed on December 31, 1997.

Wilfred Corrigan talks about his early innovations in the semiconductor industry and his leadership role at Fairchild Semiconductor. He also mentions changes within the industry over time.

In August 1999, Fairchild went public on the New York Stock Exchange, marking a new chapter in its corporate history. This event allowed Fairchild to raise capital from public investors.

In September 1999, the United States Postal Service recognized Fairchild's contributions by issuing a stamp featuring one of its iconic IC designs. This gesture highlighted Fairchild's impact on society.

Jack Kilby, another co-inventor of the Integrated Circuit (IC), was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2000 for his contributions to the field.

Don Valentine discusses his career at Fairchild Semiconductor, his role in founding National Semiconductor and Sequoia Capital, as well as his insights on the semiconductor industry and venture capital. The interview also covers his reasons for investing in LSI Logic and his reflections on the state of Silicon Valley.

Fairchild announced the appointment of Mark Thompson as CEO of the corporation. Thompson would also be President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the board of directors of Fairchild Semiconductor International.

Jay Last talks about his career, involvement in Fairchild Semiconductor, working with Noyce on various projects, and the impact of Texas Instruments' Integrated Circuits on Fairchild.

Robert Blair, LSI Logic’s eleventh employee, discusses his career in marketing and international activities at LSI and LSI’s European operations. He talks about his work at various firms before joining LSI Logic, including Fairchild Semiconductor. The interview covers topics such as Schlumberger acquisition of Fairchild, LSI Logic's expansion in Europe, and Blair's work in global sales and marketing.

In 2014, a report revealed that 70% of Bay Area tech companies trading on major stock exchanges could be directly linked back to Fairchild Semiconductor. These companies, valued at $2.1 trillion, have significantly contributed to the tech industry, surpassing the GDP of several countries.

On November 18, 2015, ON Semiconductor made an offer to acquire Fairchild Semiconductor for $2.4 billion after speculation that Fairchild was seeking a potential buyer.

On September 19, 2016, ON Semiconductor announced the completion of its $2.4 billion cash acquisition of Fairchild Semiconductor.