Celebrating the Birthplace of Silicon Valley

The scientists and engineers who worked at 391 San Antonio Road in Mountain View, California, laid the technological and cultural foundations for today’s Silicon Valley. Employing some of the most brilliant young minds in the business, Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory produced Northern California’s first silicon transistor prototypes in the mid-1950s. However, due to William Shockley’s difficult management style, eight Shockley employees—including Gordon Moore, Robert Noyce, Julius Blank, Victor Grinich, Jean Hoerni, Eugene Kleiner, Jay Last, and Sheldon Roberts—resigned in September 1957 and founded Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation. Fairchild was the seedling from which companies valued at over $2 trillion have grown and the source of the integrated circuit “computer chip” that has revolutionized our world.

Now, nearly 70 years later, the site of Shockley Labs, already an IEEE Historical Milestone, is being formally recognized by the IEEE and the City of Mountain View for its historical significance in a special dedication ceremony on August 15. Thanks to the efforts of many, especially developer Merlone Geier Partners, newly commissioned public sculptures—in the likeness of two early semiconductor devices and a mammoth silicon crystal monument that symbolize the work to come out of the lab—now permanently mark the site, along with various plaques that describe and commemorate the site’s history.

The event’s featured speaker is Professor James F. Gibbons, former dean of engineering at Stanford University. Professor Gibbons’ first task at Stanford in 1957 was to work with Shockley and his team to transfer their knowledge of silicon fabrication to Stanford, which could in turn train future engineers for the coming boom in the semiconductor industry. He will share his personal experiences and memories of those early days.

Join early semiconductor pioneers, the president of the IEEE, and local officials on August 15 to commemorate this legendary Silicon Valley landmark. Guests are invited to enjoy a series of presentations and exhibits and view the stunning sculptures and plaques.

The event is free to attend and open to the public. Space is limited so please sign up to guarantee a seat.

Location