Silicon Genesis Project

The Silicon Genesis Project is an on-going oral history project on the history of Silicon Valley and the semiconductor industry, conducted by volunteers and housed at the Stanford University Library.[1][2]

Silicon Genesis Project
LocationUnited States
TypeOral Histories
AffiliationStanford University Library
Title of directorSilicon Valley Archives
DirectorLaila Razouk
Period covered1950-current
Building information
BuildingCecil H. Green Library
Websitehttps://exhibits.stanford.edu/silicongenesis

History

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The Silicon Genesis project was started and built upon the inspiration of Rob Walker (1935-2016[3]). Rob was a Silicon Valley native and Silicon Valley educated electrical engineer, who was involved with the semiconductor industry since the 1960s at Fairchild, Intel and as a founder of LSI Logic. He understood that if the stories of these pioneers were not captured for the benefit of future public access, they would be untold and lost forever. In 1995, Rob began a project with the Silicon Valley Archives in the Stanford University Libraries to record oral history interviews focused on the history of the semiconductor industry. The resulting video recordings and interview transcripts form the basis for the Silicon Genesis collection at Stanford, and available for researchers and others with an interest in this history.

Role of Stanford University

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The Silicon Valley Archives[4] in the Stanford Libraries provides access to several collections related to the Silicon Genesis oral histories.[5][6] These include the Rob Walker Papers, the Silicon Destiny collection of oral history cassette tapes, videos, and transcripts assembled for Rob Walker's book Silicon Destiny,[7] and the Silicon Genesis collection,[8] which includes physical media for many of the interviews in the series featured in the exhibit.

The collection of interviews

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Interviews

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Subjects to be interviewed have been chosen based on their historic contributions to the semiconductor and related industries. Persons conducting the interviews are former executives of semiconductor companies and have expertise in the fields being discussed. These individuals have volunteered their time to identify persons of historic interest, scheduled and conducted interviews, assist with post-production, and review transcripts. Once posted, interviews are available as both streaming video files and lightly edited transcripts.

Interview format

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Prior to 2020, most interviews were typically conducted one-on-one in an informal and comfortable setting, often the home of the interviewee. More recent interviews have been conducted on the Stanford campus, often the Green Library. Interviews start with a bit of family and personal history, educational background, and then dive a range of relevant topics relating to the subject's historical contributions to the semiconductor or related industry.

Individual interviews

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Subject Year Affiliations Interviewer
Amelio, Gil 2000 Bell Labs, National, Apple Rob Walker
Balletto, Jack[9] 2012 Lockheed, Western Microwave, GME, Fairchild, Ricoh, Synertek, VLSI Rob Walker
Beyer, Richard M. 2018 National, VLSI Technology, Intersil, SIA, Freescale (Motorola) Robert N. Blair
Blair, Robert N. 2011 Marconi, SGS-Fairchild, Fairchild, LSI Logic, Crosspoint, Monterey Design Rob Walker
Bourgoin, John 2023 Motorola, AMD, Silicon Graphics, MIPS Laila Razouk
Brokaw, Paul 2006 Analog Devices Rob Walker
Brooks, Don 2000 Texas Instruments, Fairchild, TSMC, UMC Rob Walker
Burkett, Marvin 2023 AMD, Nvidia Laila Razouk
Carter, Dennis 2004 Rockwell, Intel Rob Walker
Chang, Morris 2007 Sylvania, Texas Instruments, TSMC, SEMI Anon CHM
Corrigan, Wilfred 1998 Motorola, Fairchild, LSI Logic Rob Walker
Cotter, Ruth 2023 AMD Laila Razouk
Darringer, John A. 2017 Philips, IBM Robert N. Blair
Davidow, William (Bill) H. 2016 General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, Signetics, Intel, Mohr Davidow Ventures Robert N. Blair
de Geus, Aart 2016 General Electric, Synopsis Robert N. Blair
der Torossian, Papken 2018 Hewlett-Packard, Spectra Physics, Plantronics, ECS Microsystems, SVG Robert N. Blair
DeWolf, Nick 2005 General Electric, Transitron, Texas Instruments, Teradyne Craig Addison
Dickson, John 2016 Plessy, Texas Instruments, ICL, Headland Technologies, AT&T, Lucent, LSI Logic Robert N. Blair
Diller, James 2017 Transitron, Fairchild, National, PMC Sierra Robert N. Blair
Downey, James 1995 General Electric, Fairchild, AMD, Read/Write, DasTech Rob Walker
Doyle, Norman Patrick 2018 Fairchild, Altera Robert N. Blair, Geri Hadley
East, John 2008 Fairchild, AMD, Actel Rob Walker
Faggin, Federico 1995 Olivetti, Fairchild, Intel, Zilog, Cygnet, Synaptics Rob Walker
Federman, Irwin 2015 Monolithic Memories (MMI), AMD, USVP, SIA Robert N. Blair
Fullagar, David 2018 Ferranti, Transitron, Fairchild, Intersil, Maxim Robert N. Blair
Gallagher, David 2005 GCA, SEMI Craig Addison
Gallagher, Ted 2005 Tegal, Matrix Integrated Systems, Motorola, SEMI Craig Addison
Gifford, Jack 2002 Fairchild, AMD, Maxim Rob Walker
Gray, Paul 1998 UC Berkeley, Fairchild R&D Rob Walker
Hailey, Kim & Shawn 1997 Meta Software Rob Walker
Hadley, Geri 2019 Fairchild, VLSI Technology, LSI Logic David Laws, Robert N. Blair
Halla, Brian 2006 Control Data, Intel, LSI Logic, National Rob Walker
Harrel, Sam 2004 Texas Instruments, Computervision, Micronix, KLA Tencor, SEMI-SEMATECH Craig Addison
Hartman, Robert 2018 Standard Oil, Rockwell, Electronic Arrays, Fairchild, Signetics, Source III, Altera Robert N. Blair
Hennessy, John 2005 Stanford, MIPS, Stanford Rob Walker
Hiveley, Jim 2017 Motorola, Fairchild, Texas Instruments, RCA, Monolithic Memories, LSI Logic Robert N. Blair
Hodgson, Richard 1995 Fairchild, Intel Rob Walker
Hogan, C. Lester[10] 1995 Bell Labs, Motorola, Fairchild Rob Walker
Hoff, Marcian "Ted" 1995 Intel, Atari, Teklicon Rob Walker
House, Dave 2005 Raytheon, Honeywell, Motorola, Intel, Bay Networks, Nortel Rob Walker
Huang, Jen-Hsun 2010 AMD, LSI Logic, Nvidia Rob Walker
Lam, David 2007 Texas Instruments, Xerox, Hewlett-Packard, Lam Research Craig Addison
Last, Jay T. 2007 Shockley Labs, Fairchild Craig Addison
Laws, David 2013 Fairchild, AMD, Altera Robert N. Blair
Kawanishi, Tsuyoshi 2011 Toshiba Semiconductor, SMIC Rob Walker
Kesting, Curt 2006 Fairchild, ST Microelectronics Horst Sandfort (in German)
Koford, Jim 1999 IBM, Fairchild, Monterey Design Systems Rob Walker
Kvamme, Floyd 2013 Fairchild, National, Apple, Kleiner-Perkins Robert N. Blair
Markkula, Mike 2014 Fairchild, Intel, Apple, Echelon Robert N. Blair
Martinotti, Piero 2013 SGS-Fairchild, Motorola, Weber Carburetor, SGS, ST Semiconductor Robert N. Blair
Malone, Joe 2023 Fairchild David Laws
Marren, Bernie 2008 Avco, Fairchild, Western Micro, AMI, SIA, OPTi Rob Walker
Mazor, Stan 2000 Fairchild, Intel, Silicon Compilers Rob Walker
McCranie, Dan 2016 General Dynamics, Signetics, Harris, SEEQ, Cypress, Actel Robert N. Blair
McCullough, Jack 1990 Eitel-McCullough, Inc Anon
McKenna, Regis 1995 General Microelectronics, National, Regis McKenna, Inc Rob Walker
McNeilly, Michael 2004 Union Carbide, Apogee Chemicals, Applied Materials, SEMI Craig Addison
Mensch, William 1995 Motorola, Philco-Ford, MOS Technology, Commodore Computer Rob Walker
Moore, Gordon[11] 1995 Shockley Labs, Fairchild, Intel Rob Walker
Morgan, Jim 2004 Textron, Applied Materials Rob Walker
Newhagen, Paul 2019 Raychem, Fairchild, Source III, Altera David Laws, Laila Razouk
Pausa, Clements E. 2017 Fairchild, National Robert N. Blair
Palmer, Robert B. 2004 Texas Instruments, Mostek, Digital Equipment Corporation Craig Addison
Parker, Gerry 2003 Mobil Oil, Hewlett-Packard, Fairchild, Intel Rob Walker
Pierce, John 1995 Bell Labs, Caltech, Stanford Rob Walker
Pistorio, Pasquale 2011 SGS, ST Microelectronics Rob Walker
Razouk, Leila 2022 AMD David Laws
Rhines, Waldon 2015 Texas Instruments, Mentor Graphics Robert N. Blair
Rock, Arthur 2002 Venture Capital Rob Walker
Rogers, T. J. 2013 AMI, AMD, Cypress Robert N. Blair
Rotsky, George 1995 Journalist Rob Walker
Sanders, W. Jerry 2002 Douglas Aircraft, Motorola, Fairchild, AMD Rob Walker
Sandfort, Horst G. 2007 Litronix, Fairchild, LSI Logic, Intellon Rob Walker
Scalise, George 2003 Motorola, Fairchild, AMD, Apple, Semiconductor Industry Association Rob Walker
Schütze, Dr. Hans J. 2006 Texas Instruments Europe Horst Sandfort (in German)
Segal, Ed 2004 Applied Materials, Transpacific, Metron, SEMI Craig Addison
Sello, Harry 1995 Shockley Labs, Fairchild, SGS Rob Walker
Skurko, Robert 2017 Fairchild Robert N. Blair
Sonsini, Larry 2003 Davis and Rock, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Rob Walker
Sopkin, Elliot 2013 Fairchild, AMD Geri Hadley
Sporck, Charlie 2000 General Electric, Fairchild, National Rob Walker
Sprague, Peter 2012 National, Sprague Industries, Aston Martin Lagonda Robert N. Blair
Strata, Ray 2006 Analog Devices Rob Walker
Swanson, Bob 2006 Transitron, Fairchild, National, Linear Technology Rob Walker
Tedlow, Richard S. 2008 Harvard Business School (discusses IBM, DEC, Intel, AMD,..) Rob Walker
Valentine, Don 2004 Fairchild, National, Sequoia Capital Rob Walker
Harold, Vitale 2009 Fairchild, Genrad, LTX/Trillium, Credence Rob Walker
Vonderschmitt, Bernard[12] 1995 RCA, Zilog, Xilinx Rob Walker
Walker, Rob 1998 Ford Aerospace, Fairchild, Intel, LSI Logic, Silicon Genesis Project Susan Ayers Walker
Weinig, Sheldon 2006 Materials Research Corporation Craig Addison
Wells, George 2010 ITT, Fairchild, LSI Logic, Exar Rob Walker
Wetlessen, Gunnar 2018 AMI, Synertek, VLSI Technology Robert N. Blair
Wolken, Peter 2007 RCA, Beckman Instruments, General Electric, Computervision, SEMI Craig Addison
Yawata, Keisuke (KK) 2007 NEC, LSI Logic, Applied Materials Rob Walker
Yoshida, Shoichiro 2004 Nikon, SEMI Craig Addison
Yu, Albert 2005 Fairchild, Intel Rob Walker
Zelencik, Steve[13] 2013 Amphenol, Fairchild, AMD Robert N. Blair
Zetes, Arthur 2017 Clevite Semiconductor, Fairchild, Rheem, Lockheed Robert N. Blair

Group interviews

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Subjects Year Affiliations Interviewer
Steve Allen, Lawrence Bender, Richard Steinheimer 1995 Fairchild, National, Leapfrog Rob Walker
Robert Ulrickson, John Nichols 1995 Fairchild Rob Walker
Bob Dobbins, Jim Williams 2006 Linear Technology Rob Walker
Martin Cooper, Arlene Harris 2007 Motorola, Dyna, GreatCall Rob Walker

Panel and special interest videos

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Title Year Posted Notes
George Rotsky - Journalist 1995 Electronic Design, EDN, EE Times
The Fairchild Chronicles[14][15] 2005 A nearly three hour documentary on the history of Fairchild Semiconductor
Silicon Genesis Europe - Roundtable 2006 Six European semi executives. Recorded @ Electronica. In German
Rob Walker standup 2006 Outtakes from Silicon Genesis interviews
Fairchild 50th Anniversary Panel 2007 Julius Blank, Jay Last, Gordon Moore, and Arthur Rock. Audio only. Hosted by John Hennessy. Moderated by Leslie Berlin

Highlighted collections

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The Stanford Library highlights individual interviews that are grouped together according to an area of interest. As of summer 2023, there were three featured collections: SEMI Interviews which bring the contributors of SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) into focus, Fairchild Semiconductor History, and Silicon Genesis Europe.

References

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  1. ^ University, © Stanford; Stanford; California 94305. "Silicon Genesis". Spotlight at Stanford. Retrieved 2023-06-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Transistorized! Web Site References". www.pbs.org. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  3. ^ "ASIC Pioneer, Tech Historian Rob Walker Dies". EE Times. 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  4. ^ "Silicon Valley Archives". library.stanford.edu. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  5. ^ Cassel, David (2019-05-05). "Silicon Genesis: Stanford's Oral Histories of the Semiconductor Industry". The New Stack. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  6. ^ "Silicon Genesis oral history interviews". oac.cdlib.org. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  7. ^ Walker, Rob (1992). Silicon Destiny: The Story of Application Specific Integrated Circuits and LSI Logic Corporation. Walker Research Associates. ISBN 978-0-9632654-0-1.
  8. ^ "Silicon genesis : oral history interviews of Silicon Valley scientists, 1995-2010". researchworks.oclc.org. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  9. ^ "EAB Profiles - School of Engineering - Santa Clara University". www.scu.edu. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  10. ^ Martin, Douglas (2008-08-16). "C. Lester Hogan, Physicist Who Fought Motorola, Dies at 88". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  11. ^ Noble, Holcomb B.; Hafner, Katie (2023-03-25). "Gordon E. Moore, Intel Co-Founder Behind Moore's Law, Dies at 94". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  12. ^ Markoff, John (2004-06-19). "Bernard Vonderschmitt, 80, Semiconductor Designer, Dies (Published 2004)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  13. ^ "Stephen J. Zelencik". College of Engineering - Purdue University. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  14. ^ "Fairchild, the Fairchild chronicles | WorldCat.org". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  15. ^ Cassidy, Mike (2005-03-07). "Silicon Valley view: Film on firm that started digital world". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2023-10-08.