Robert Noyce

Left Shockley Semiconductor as one of the 'traitorous eight' to co-found Fairchild Semiconductor

This rebellion against Nobel laureate William Shockley launched the Silicon Valley startup culture. Fairchild became the 'mother of Silicon Valley' - spawning over 100 companies and establishing the template for tech entrepreneurship with flat hierarchies and stock options.

Independently invented the monolithic integrated circuit using Jean Hoerni's planar process

This breakthrough made modern electronics possible by putting multiple components on a single silicon chip. While Jack Kilby invented the first hybrid IC in 1958, Noyce's monolithic version became the foundation for all future microprocessors and the personal computer revolution.

Left the massive success of Fairchild to start Intel with Gordon Moore, putting up $500,000 of his own money

Founded what became the world's most important technology company. Intel's invention of the microprocessor under Noyce's leadership launched the second technological revolution, making personal computers possible and establishing Intel as the center of the world economy.

Stepped down as Intel CEO to focus on mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs

This transition allowed him to become 'the Mayor of Silicon Valley,' mentoring figures like Steve Jobs and maintaining the entrepreneurial ecosystem. His influence extended far beyond Intel, shaping the valley's collaborative culture and investment in education.

Born December 12 in Burlington, Iowa, third of four sons to Rev. Ralph Brewster Noyce

Built boy-sized aircraft with brother at age 12, showing early engineering talent

Graduated Grinnell High School and entered Grinnell College

Star diver on Midwest Conference Championship swim team

Professor Grant Gale obtained first transistors and introduced Noyce to solid state electronics

Graduated Phi Beta Kappa with BA in physics and mathematics, won Brown Derby Prize for 'best grades with least amount of work'

Received doctorate from MIT, married Elizabeth Bottomley, and joined Philco Corporation in Philadelphia

Left Philco to join William Shockley's Semiconductor Laboratory in California

Left with the 'traitorous eight' and co-founded Fairchild Semiconductor

Jack Kilby invented first hybrid integrated circuit at Texas Instruments

Noyce independently invented the monolithic integrated circuit and filed patent in July; Fairchild Camera bought Fairchild Semiconductor for $3 million, giving each founder $250,000 in stock

Fairchild reached $130 million in sales after 10 years

Founded Intel Corporation with Gordon Moore, putting up $500,000 of their own money while Arthur Rock provided additional $2.51 million

Intel had $4.2 million in revenues but $970,000 in losses with 200 employees

Intel sales reached $23 million

Intel sales jumped to $66 million

Divorced Elizabeth Bottomley and married Ann Schmeltz Bowers on November 27

Stepped down as Intel CEO, succeeded by Gordon Moore

Intel reached $633 million in annual revenues with $78 million in profits and 14,000 employees

Intel achieved $1 billion in annual sales

Awarded National Medal of Technology by President Reagan

Inducted into U.S. Business Hall of Fame

Received Lifetime Achievement Medal and died June 3 from heart attack in Austin, Texas at age 62

Honored with Google Doodle on December 12

Cal Poly established The Noyce School of Applied Computing with $60 million from Robert N. Noyce Trust