In the world of computers Gordon Moore is perhaps as famous for a bold prediction as he is for the iconic company he co-founded.
In 1965 Moore predicted that computer processing power would double each year (later, amended to every two years). It wasn’t a prediction made frivolously. Moore, who headed the research and development department at Fairchild Semiconductor at the time, had done meticulous research and knew the trends inside and out.
Three years later Moore joined Robert Noyce, another Fairchild scientist, to create NM Electronics. The company would become Intel Corp., one of the world’s most famous and successful companies. The company initially concentrated on producing memory chips.
A native of California, Moore graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkley in 1950. He later earned a Doctorate in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology.
Under Moore and Noyce, Intel pioneered vast improvements in memory, integrated circuits and microprocessor design.
Moore and his wife created the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which has given billions in donations for conservation efforts. The couple has also given generously to Caltech.
By Robert Warren
