Robert
N. Noyce, a computer industry pioneer, was born on
December 12, 1927 in Burlington, Iowa. He studied at Grinnell College
where he received a bachelor's degree in physics and mathematics. In
1953, he continued his education at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology where he earned his doctoral degree in physics.
Dr. Noyce was an inventor, a scientist and an entrepreneur. He is credited for the invention of the integrated circuit, the basic component that launched the computer revolution. His invention introduced the use of silicon, paving the way for the personal computers and setting the standard for the Silicon Valley technological industry.
In 1968, Dr. Noyce co-founded Intel Corporation, which became a multibillion-dollar company due to its development of the semiconductor and the first microprocessor.
Because of his innovative accomplishments and contributions, Dr. Noyce was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He also received many other noteworthy awards including the National Medal of Science from President Carter in 1980, the National Medal of Technology from President Reagan in 1987 and the National Academy of Engineering's Charles Stark Draper Prize given by George Bush.
Before his death, Dr. Noyce obtained 16 patents for his inventions of semiconductor devices, methods and structures. Robert N. Noyce died on June 3, 1990 in Texas due to heart failure. He was 62 years old.
Page created by: Hanh Nguyen
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Silicon Base - Noyce (Online). http://lummi.stanford.edu/Media2/SiliconValley2/Hammer/pages/Noyce.html
Wolfe, Tom. (1997). Robert Noyce and His Congregation. Forbes ASAP. (Online). http://www.forbes.com/asap/97/0825/102.html