Gordon Moore, a visionary in the world of technology, passed away on January 25th 2021. He was 94 years old. His legacy extends far beyond his own lifetime; he co-founded Intel Corporation along with Robert Noyce in 1968, predicted the rise of home computing, and even created ‘Moore’s Law’ — which states that computer processing power doubles approximately every two years while cost halves — all within his lifetime.
In addition to founding Intel Corporation, Moore also served as its first Executive Vice President and later Chairman. During the 1970s and 1980s, he was instrumental in Intel’s impressive growth and development as the company pioneered new products such as memory chips and microprocessors. His vision of where technology was headed would have far-reaching consequences — from the rise of personal computers to the modern internet age.
At the time, the semiconductor industry was still in its infancy, and many believed that it would be dominated by large corporations such as IBM. However, Intel quickly established itself as a major player in the industry, thanks in part to the development of the world’s first commercially available microprocessor in 1971.
In 1965, Moore made a prediction that would become famously known as ‘Moore’s Law’. He predicted that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit would double approximately every two years, while their cost halves. This prediction proved to be accurate for decades and has served as an inspiration for technologists ever since.
As a result of this trend, the cost of computing power has decreased exponentially, making it possible for personal computers to become affordable and accessible to a wide range of people. Moore’s insight into the future of computing power and cost laid the groundwork for the home computing revolution which began in the 70s and 80s.
In 2002, Gordon Moore received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1990 from President George H.W. Bush for his contributions to the field of computer technology. The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States and is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavours.
Moore was recognised for his role in founding Intel Corporation and for his contributions to the development of the microprocessor, which has revolutionised the field of computing and had a profound impact on modern society. He was also awarded a LifetimeAchievement Award fromIEEE, a prestigious professional organisation for engineers, computer scientists,and related professionals whowork on electronics-related technologies.
Moore’s Law has proven to be remarkably accurate and has had a huge influence on business technology, for example by enabling businesses to perform more complex computations, process larger amounts of data, and run more sophisticated software applications. Miniaturisation lead to more portable and convenient devices (and the industries built-around them) with lower costs from more computing equipment due to economies of scale in microchip production. Also, the increasing computing power enabled by Moore’s Law has also played a crucial role in the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. These technologies have the potential to transform many industries, from healthcare to finance to transportation, and are expected to become increasingly important in the years to come.
Moore’s impact on technology can still be felt today. His legacy lives on through his work at Intel Corporation and other tech companies, as well as his famous prediction which still holds true today. His passing marks the end of an era for Intel and technology at large.
Though we are saddened by the loss of this great pioneer, we can take comfort in knowing that his contributions to the world of technology will continue to be felt for generations to come. We send our condolences to Moore’s family and friends during this difficult time.
