Fairchild Semiconductor

Fairchild Semiconductor, an iconic American electronics company, shares the prestigious credit with Texas Instruments for the invention of the integrated circuit. Established in 1957 in Santa Clara, California, Fairchild was among the pioneers in manufacturing transistors and integrated circuits. Its final headquarters were in Sunnyvale, California, with research and production facilities spread across the United States and Asia.

The company’s groundbreaking work began with silicon-based transistors for military and industrial applications. Fairchild's innovative approach was highlighted by Jean Hoerni's development of the planar process, which involved depositing a silicon-oxide film on silicon wafers to reduce contamination. This advancement was further enhanced by Robert Noyce, who realized that different components could be created on the same wafer and interconnected with conductive metal lines, thus pioneering the integrated circuit.

Fairchild Semiconductor's contributions to the electronics industry were vast, providing essential components for various applications. The company continued to innovate in semiconductor technology until it was acquired by ON Semiconductor, ensuring that its legacy of innovation and excellence endures in the industry.