Intel and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation announced that Gordon Moore has died. Gordon Moore was Intel’s co-founder and the grandfather of much of modern chip manufacturing. The company says that he died peacefully, at home in Hawaii surrounded by family.
Gordon Moore, one of the pioneers of modern technology, had a long career in the then-nascent industry of silicon chip making. Moore, who is best known as the inventor of Moore’s Law and a leader in the semiconductor industry, spent many years at Fairchild Semiconductor before moving to Intel. In addition to numerous industry awards and a Presidential Medal of Freedom, Moore’s long career saw him receive many other accolades.
Gordon Moore’s career began under William Shockley. Shockley Semiconductor is co-founded by William Shockley and he was the cofounder of the transistor. He would then go on to work on silicon transistors and the first commercially viable integrated circuits at Fairchild Semiconductor – a contentious act that saw them labeled as the “traitorous eight”. Moore and Robert Noyce founded Intel in 1968. It was Moore’s most productive and influential time.
In 1997, he retired as Intel’s Chairman and became a entrepreneur. Chairman Emeritus Moore led the company to become, for many decades, the undisputed market leader in microprocessors. During that time, Intel introduced a series of innovative products, such as the Intel 8086 Processor, the first in what would become Intel’s important x86 range of CPUs. Moore, who began at Intel as Executive VP in 1969, would go on to serve in this role until 1987.
Moore In 2015, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Moore’s Law
Gordon Moore coined the phrase “Moore’s Law” in 1965. This law states that every 12 months, the number of transistors (components) within a circuit will double. Later, in 1975, the term was changed to 24 months. This phrase is often used when discussing new hardware. It was also the standard against which many chip and fab development were measured for many years.
Moore and Betty Moore Foundation was founded in 2000 by his wife Gordon and Betty Moore after Moore’s retirement from Intel. The foundation is still active and has donated over $5.1 billion in charitable donations to fields such as science, medicine, environmental conservation, etc.
Pat Gelsinger said that Gordon Moore “defined the technology industry by his insight and vision”. He played a key role in the discovery of the transistor and has inspired entrepreneurs and technologists for decades. Intel remains inspired by Moore’s Law. We intend to continue to follow this law until the periodic tables are exhausted. Gordon’s vision continues to guide us as we use technology to better the lives of everyone on Earth. My career, and much else in my life, was shaped within the possibilities that Gordon’s leadership at Intel opened up. I am humbled and honored to carry Gordon’s legacy forward.
Moore is no longer employed by Intel, but his influence continues in several ways. Intel has renamed its Ronler Acres Campus in Hillsboro, Oregon, as the Gordon Moore Park, Ronler Acres. The company also maintains a desk in their Santa Clara headquarters which Dr. Ian Cutress, our own, had the chance to visit.
Gordon Moore was survived by his wife Betty Moore (73 years), sons Kenneth & Steven, and 4 grandchildren.
Source: Intel
