Moore's Law @ 50

On April 19, 1965, Gordon Moore—chemist, semiconductor pioneer, and co-founder of Intel Corporation—published a paper in Electronics magazine titled “Cramming More Components onto Integrated Circuits.” In it he set forth the concept that became known as “Moore’s Law,” a principle that has propelled the digital revolution for half a century.

Moore’s Law is an observation that the number of transistors on microchips doubles roughly every two years – making electronics both less expensive and better — and has held true since Moore first made the prediction. The impact of Moore’s Law is computing that has become cheap, powerful and ubiquitous. In this, Gordon Moore has been both a visionary and prime mover of the Information Age.

Moore’s life story is one of an innovator and businessman whose influence on technology is arguably as profound as that of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, or Bill Gates. Now, for the first time, that story is told in his authorized biography—Moore’s Law: The Life of Gordon Moore, Silicon Valley’s Quiet Revolutionary. The book chronicles Moore’s life—from his upbringing and education in California to his professional career at Shockley Semiconductor, Fairchild and Intel. It gives context to the high-tech dynamism he helped to unleash, and provides a clear and accessible introduction to the story of silicon electronics—the technological foundation that has transformed commerce, defense and every-day life around the world.


In partnership with the Chemical Heritage Foundation, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Moore’s Law with a two-part symposium.

Part 1: Moore's Law: The Life of Gordon Moore, Silicon Valley's Quiet Revolutionary

The morning session will feature a conversation with the biography’s co-authors Arnold Thackray and David C. Brock. Thackray and Brock are both senior figures at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia—Thackray is the Chancellor, and Brock is Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Research. Together with London-based journalist Rachel Jones, they have meticulously crafted a biography that clearly reveals Moore’s life and his contributions. Museum CEO John Hollar will lead an in-depth conversation with Thackray and Brock about their writing and the impact of Moore’s work. Please reserve your spot by registering at the link below.

Luncheon will follow the first half of the day. A Commemoration of Moore's Law at 50 film will be shown during this time. Please reserve your spot by registering at the link below.

Part 2: Moore's Law: Past and Future

In the afternoon, Brock will moderate a panel session on the past and future of Moore’s Law. Panelists include 2002 Museum Fellow Carver Mead, the Gordon and Betty Moore Professor Emeritus of Engineering and Applied Science at the California Institute of Technology, and William H. Davidow, partner at Mohr Davidow Ventures, former Intel executive and author of several books on technology, including Overcorrected. The afternoon panel will also feature the Silicon Valley premiere of a 13-minute video of Gordon Moore himself speaking on Moore’s Law, its impact, and future. Please reserve your spot by registering at the link below.

We are also delighted to welcome Jody Roberts, Director for the Institute for Research at CHF, who also will be taking part in the day’s events.

Kepler's Books will be onsite selling copies of Moore's Law: The Life of Gordon Moore, Silicon Valley's Quiet Revolutionary before and after the program. There will be a book signing when the program adjourns.

Join us for this fascinating look at the life of one of the computing epoch’s most influential figures and a glimpse ahead at the implications for Moore’s Law in the future.