Gordon Moore who predicted that computer processing powers would double every year an insight known as Moore’s Law and a co-founder of Intel, which at one time was the World’s largest semiconductor maker, died on Friday at the age of 94, Intel said.
Moore was a giant in the technological modification of the modern age, supporting firms to carry evermore effective chips to smaller computers. He co-founded Intel in July 1968, eventually acting as president, chief executive, and chairman of the board. Intel, based in Santa Clara, California, said Moore died “surrounded by family at his home in Hawaii.”
In its early days, Intel was known for constant innovation, rising to become one of the giant, most important companies in technology.
In 1965, Moore first coined a theory that later became known as “Moore’s Law.” It stated that integrated circuits would essentially double in power every year. He later modified the law to say the doubling would happen every two years. The axiom held for decades and became interchangeable with the quick rate of technological transformation in the modern world.
All I was trying to do was get that message across, that by putting more and more stuff on a chip we were going to make all electronics cheaper.”
Moore said in a 2008 interview.
After achieving his Ph.D. from CalTech, Moore and a colleague in 1957 joined Fairchild Semiconductor Laboratory, one of the earlier companies to manufacture commercially viable transistors and integrated circuits.
As the firm developed, the seeds were planted for the transformation of the peninsula of land south of San Francisco into what became known as Silicon Valley.
Moore and longtime coworker Robert Noyce struck out on their own in 1968, carrying along a third, Andy Grove, who would become a future Intel CEO. Moore retired from Intel in 2006. Over his lifetime, he donated more than $5.1 billion to charitable grounds through the foundation he established with his wife of 72 years, Betty.
Though he never aspired to be a household name, Gordon’s vision and his life’s work enabled the phenomenal innovation and technological developments that shape our everyday lives.”
Harvey Fineberg-president of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Leaders of Intel heaped tribute on Moore.
He was instrumental in revealing the power of transistors, and inspired technologists and entrepreneurs across the decades.”
Pat Gelsinger-Intel chief executive
He leaves behind a legacy that changed the lives of every person on the planet. His memory will live on.”
Gelsinger added on Twitter.
