about the event

honor Fairchild and the semiconductor industry

Primitive semiconductor devices appeared in crystal radios in the early 1900s. The first transistor sprang into life in 1947 and the first monolithic integrated circuits shipped to users in 1961. Fifty years after the introduction of the transistor, semiconductor manufacturers were building 60 million transistors a year for every man, woman and child on Earth. Consumption could exceed one billion transistors per person by 2010.

Transistors form the basic building blocks of the electronic brains behind everything from aircraft and automobile controls to a digital camera's zoom lens. Although the developed world depends on them to manage every facet of daily life, the discovery and development of the transistor, and its progeny the integrated circuit, is one of the least known and celebrated stories of modern times.

There's no doubt about it. Semiconductor technology changed the world. Its rich history of innovation, as well as its resilient and talented people, should be remembered for their accomplishments -- in Silicon Valley and around the world.

October 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of founding of Fairchild Semiconductor and the true beginning of the Semiconductor Industry. To honor this occasion, a Fairchild @ 50 Celebration is planned October 5-6 2007 at the Computer History Museum. This event is a prime time to launch a fundraising campaign to create a permanent place of recognition for the Semiconductor Industry.

This acknowledgement, through the creation of the Semiconductor Industry Legacy Fund (SIL Fund) will honor the industry's remarkable technology and applications, its business acumen and its people. And, it will enable the Museum to show how the Semiconductor Industry impacted, and continues to impact, people and the world at large as well as educate future generations about the industry and its pioneers.

Currently, a Semiconductor Special Interest Group (Semi SIG) at the Museum is augmenting the work of the Museum staff to identify, collect, document, preserve, educate and exhibit the impact of semiconductor technology on the history of computing to a worldwide audience. This group is composed of four groups:

  • Steering Committee of 8-10 senior people who oversee the activities of the entire SIG and will develop a strategic plan for the overall SIG organization

  • Executive Advisory Council that includes 15-20 CEO-level members spanning disciplines, technologies, products and geographic areas

  • Working Groups consisting of people known for their semiconductor expertise and willingness to work on specific projects to meet the goals of the SIG

  • Partner Organization Liaison groups are many organizations across the world that contribute important information and guide the SIG

The Fairchild 50th Anniversary is the logical time to launch a major fundraising campaign to honor the legacy of the Semiconductor Industry.

Funds raised through the Semiconductor Industry Legacy Fund will be used to support the Semi SIG objectives and to build a strong Semiconductor presence at the Museum through programs such as:

  • Semiconductor History Website - augment the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation's $500K contribution for a new website focusing on Semiconductor device milestones - slated to launch in 2007

  • Timeline of Computing History - support the development of the Semiconductor section on this timeline initially funded by a $15M grant from the Gates Foundation-slated to open in 2009

  • Semiconductor Theme Room - contribute to the plan for a permanent Semiconductor exhibit covering the entire global industry including Chip, Assembly, EDA, Process/Test Equipment and Material Suppliers slated to open in 2011, contingent on Museum raising $5M

  • Educational Programs - fund the development of programs and materials at the museum for use in school classrooms and online to introduce and educate children and people around the world about Semiconductors, the industry's pioneers, and its contributions to the world to attract the next generation to study engineering

  • Speaker Series and Oral Histories - expand coverage of the Semiconductor Industry and its luminaries in these two programs

    Semiconductor Advisory Groups - increase participation on committees that advise and plan the Semiconductor exhibits and programs at the Museum

sponsorship opportunities are available as follows:

Premier Sponsor
$ 200,000
+
Diamond Sponsor
$ 100,000
to
$ 199,999
Platinum Sponsor
$ 50,000
to
$ 99,999
Gold Sponsor
$ 25,000
to
$ 49,999
Silver Sponsor
$ 10,000
to
$ 24,999
Bronze Sponsor 
$5,000
to
$9,999
Fellow 
$2000
to
$4,999
Patron  
$500
to
$1,999
Friend
$10
to
$499

here’s how to contribute to the fund

Our goal is to raise in excess of $1,000,000 to fund the Semiconductor Theme Room and greater Semiconductor presence at the Museum.

You can send us a donation pledge, or please make your contributions to the Computer History Museum, designated specifically for the Semiconductor Industry Legacy Fund. Contributions should be sent to David Ujita, the Museum's Associate Director of Development, Corporate & Foundation Relations, at 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View CA 94043.

All Semiconductor Industry Legacy Fund donations are fully deductible