Moore, who set the course for the future of the semiconductor industry, dedicated his later years to philanthropy.
SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Intel and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation announced today that the company’s co-founder, Gordon Moore, has passed away at the age of 94.
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Intel and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation announced that the company’s co-founder, Gordon Moore, died on March 24, 2023 at the age of 94. (Source: Intel Corporation)
The foundation reported he died peacefully on Friday, March 24, 2023 surrounded by his family at his home in Hawaii.
Moore and longtime colleague Robert Noyce founded Intel in July 1968. Moore initially served as executive vice president before becoming president in 1975. In 1979, Moore was appointed chairman and chief executive officer, positions he held until 1987, when he left the position of CEO and continued as chairman. In 1997, Moore became chairman emeritus and resigned in 2006.
More: Gordon Moore at Intel
During his lifetime, Moore also devoted his focus and energy to philanthropy, particularly environmental protection, science, and improving patient care. Along with his 72-year-old wife, he founded the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which has given more than $5.1 billion to charities since its inception in 2000.
“Those of us who have met and worked with Gordon will forever be inspired by his wisdom, humility and generosity,” said Foundation President Harvey Fineberg. “Although he never aspired to become a household name, Gordon’s vision and life’s work enabled the phenomenal innovations and technological developments that shape our daily lives. But these historic achievements are only part of his legacy. His and Betty’s generosity as philanthropists will shape the world for generations to come.”
Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO, said, “Gordon Moore shaped the technology industry with his insight and vision. He was instrumental in unveiling the power of transistors and inspiring technologists and entrepreneurs throughout the decades. At Intel, we remain inspired by Moore’s Law and intend to pursue it until the periodic table is exhausted. Gordon’s vision lives on as our true North as we harness the power of technology to improve the lives of everyone on Earth. My career and much of my life took shape within the opportunities fueled by Gordon’s leadership at the helm of Intel, and I am honored by the honor and responsibility of carrying on his legacy.”
Frank D. Yeary, Intel CEO, said, “Gordon was a brilliant scientist and one of America’s foremost entrepreneurs and business leaders. It is impossible to imagine the world we live in today, with the computer world so integral to our lives, without the contributions of Gordon Moore. He will always be an inspiration to our Intel family and his thinking is at the core of our culture of innovation.”
Andy Bryant, former Intel CEO, said, “I will remember Gordon as a brilliant scientist, public speaker and shrewd businessman who strived to make the world a better place and always did what was right. It was a privilege to know him and I am grateful that his legacy lives on in the culture he helped build.”
Prior to founding Intel, Moore and Noyce helped found Fairchild Semiconductor, where they played a central role in the first commercial production of diffused silicon transistors and later the world’s first commercially viable integrated circuits. The two had previously worked together under William Shockley, co-inventor of the transistor and founder of Shockley Semiconductor, the first semiconductor company to be founded in what later became Silicon Valley. After going into business for themselves, Moore and Noyce hired future Intel CEO Andy Grove as a third employee, and the three grew Intel into one of the largest companies in the world. Together they became known as the “Intel Trinity” and their legacy continues to this day.
In addition to Moore’s pioneering role in founding two of the world’s leading technology companies, he famously predicted in 1965 that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit would double every year – a prediction that became known as Moore’s Law.
“All I was trying to do was get this message across that by putting more and more stuff on a chip, we were going to make all electronics cheaper,” Moore said in a 2008 interview.
In 1975, after his 1965 prediction proved correct, Moore revised his estimate to doubling the transistors on an integrated circuit every two years for the next 10 years. Regardless, the idea of exponentially growing chip technology, making electronics faster, smaller, and cheaper, became the driving force behind the semiconductor industry and paved the way for the ubiquitous use of chips in millions of everyday products.
In 2022, Gelsinger announced the renaming of the Ronler Acres campus in Oregon — where Intel teams are developing future process technologies — to Gordon Moore Park at Ronler Acres. The RA4 building, which houses much of Intel’s Technology Development Group, was also renamed The Moore Center along with its cafe, The Gordon.
“I can think of no better way to honor Gordon and the profound impact he has had on this company than to lend his name to this campus,” Gelsinger said at the event. “I hope we made you proud today, Gordon. And the world thanks you.”
Gordon Earle Moore was born on January 3, 1929 in San Francisco to Walter Harold and Florence Almira “Mira” (Williamson) Moore. Moore was educated at San Jose State University, the University of California at Berkeley, and the California Institute of Technology, where he received his Ph.D. 1954 in chemistry.
He began his research career at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland. In 1956 he returned to California to join Shockley Semiconductor. In 1957, Moore co-founded Fairchild Semiconductor, a division of Fairchild Camera and Instrument, with Robert Noyce and six other colleagues from Shockley Semiconductor. Eleven years later, Moore and Noyce co-founded Intel.
Financial success came with Fairchild and Intel. Beginning with individual gifts, many of which were anonymous, then establishing the Moore Family Foundation, and finally in 2000 establishing the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Moore and his wife sought through philanthropy to make the world a better place for future ones to make generations. His passion for impact and measurement have been hallmarks of his philanthropic work and endeavors.
He received the National Medal of Technology from President George HW Bush in 1990 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from President George W. Bush in 2002.
After retiring from Intel in 2006, Moore split his time between California and Hawaii and was the board chairman of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation until becoming chairman emeritus in 2018. Moore has also served on the boards of directors of Conservation International and Gilead Sciences, Inc. He has been a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Engineers, and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. From 1995 to early 2001 he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the California Institute of Technology and thereafter as a Life Trustee.
In 1950, Moore married Betty Irene Whitaker, who survived him. Moore is also survived by sons Kenneth and Steven and four grandchildren.
About the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Gordon and Betty Moore laid the foundation to create positive outcomes for future generations. In pursuing this vision, we encourage breakthrough scientific discoveries, protect the environment, improve patient care and preserve the unique character of the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit Moore.org or follow us @MooreFound on twitter.
About Intel
Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is an industry leader creating world-changing technologies that enable global progress and enrich life. Inspired by Moore’s Law, we continually work to advance the design and manufacture of semiconductors to solve our customers’ biggest challenges. By embedding intelligence in the cloud, network, edge and every type of computing device, we unleash the potential of data to transform businesses and society for the better. To learn more about Intel innovations, go to newsroom.intel.com and intel.com.
© Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other names and marks may be claimed as the property of others.
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Want Moss
Intel Corporation
1-650-521-1754
[email protected]
Genny Biggs
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
1-415-577-0094
[email protected]
Source: Intel Corporation
Posted March 24, 2023 • 8:00 p.m. EDT