Robert Noyce
Co-inventor of the integrated circuit and co-founder of Intel, the “Mayor of Silicon Valley”
- Lived
- 62 yrs
- 1927 – 1990
- Works listed
- 1
- Patent
- Honours
- 4
- Most recent 1989
- Profile views
- 2
- 0 followers
Robert Noyce was an American physicist and entrepreneur who co-invented the integrated circuit and co-founded Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel. His silicon-based chip design made mass production practical, and his informal management style helped shape Silicon Valley culture.
Biography
Background
Noyce grew up in Grinnell, Iowa, the son of a minister, studied physics at Grinnell College and earned a PhD at MIT in 1953. In 1956 he joined William Shockley’s semiconductor laboratory in California.
Fairchild
In 1957 he and seven colleagues, the “traitorous eight”, left Shockley to found Fairchild Semiconductor. In 1959 Noyce conceived the planar integrated circuit, using Jean Hoerni’s planar process to build components and connections in silicon. It became the basis for nearly all chips.
Intel
In 1968 Noyce and Gordon Moore founded Intel, later joined by Andy Grove. Intel created early memory chips and in 1971 the first commercial microprocessor. Noyce’s egalitarian style — no reserved parking, open offices — influenced Silicon Valley.
Sematech
He later led Sematech, a consortium to strengthen US chipmaking. He died of a heart attack in 1990 at 62.
Timeline
-
1927
Born in Burlington, Iowa, United States
-
1953
PhD from MIT
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1956
Joins Shockley Semiconductor
-
1957
Co-founds Fairchild Semiconductor
-
1959
Planar integrated circuit
-
1968
Co-founds Intel with Gordon Moore
-
1971
Intel 4004 microprocessor
-
1988
Heads Sematech
-
1990
Dies in Austin, Texas
-
1990
Died, aged 62
Notable works
-
1961
Semiconductor device-and-lead structure Patent
The integrated circuit patent.
Awards and honours
-
IEEE Medal of Honor
1978
-
National Medal of Science
1979
-
National Medal of Technology
1987
-
Charles Stark Draper Prize
1989
Did you know?
-
1
He was a champion diver at Grinnell College.
-
2
Steve Jobs regarded him as a mentor.
-
3
He could not share Kilby’s 2000 Nobel Prize because Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously.
Connections
Related people
-
Gordon Moore
Technology · Intel co-founder who formulated Moore’s law
Intel co-founder
-
Andy Grove
Technology · Hungarian-born Intel CEO who turned it into the world’s largest chipmaker
Intel colleague
-
Jack Kilby
Science · Texas Instruments engineer who invented the integrated circuit
Independent co-inventor of the chip
Also born on 12 December
-
Yuvraj Singh
Sports · All-rounder who hit six sixes in an over and starred in the 2011 World Cup
1981
-
Rajinikanth
Film & TV · Tamil cinema superstar with a five-decade career
1950
-
Sharad Pawar
Sports · Four-time Chief Minister of Maharashtra and founder of the Nationalist Congress Party
1940
-
Mulk Raj Anand
Literature · Novelist, author of Untouchable and Coolie
1905
-
Tony Hsieh
Technology · CEO of Zappos known for customer service and company culture
1973
Frequently asked
Who is Robert Noyce?
Robert Noyce was an American physicist and entrepreneur who co-invented the integrated circuit and co-founded Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel. His silicon-based chip design made mass production practical, and his informal management style helped shape Silicon Valley culture.
When did Robert Noyce die?
Robert Noyce died on 3 June 1990 at the age of 62.
Where is Robert Noyce from?
Robert Noyce was born in Burlington, Iowa, United States.
What is Robert Noyce known for?
Robert Noyce is best known for Silicon integrated circuit; co-founding Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel.
What awards has Robert Noyce received?
Notable honours include IEEE Medal of Honor (1978), National Medal of Science (1979), National Medal of Technology (1987), Charles Stark Draper Prize (1989).
References
- Robert Noyce — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Robert Noyce — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Robert Noyce (Q241735) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Robert Noyce”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Robert Noyce.” TrackFame, last updated 5 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/robert-noyce
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