Development of Silicon Valley
Introduction
Until the middle of the century, the region of Northern California we call Silicon Valley, was known as the Valley of Heart's Delight. At that time it was better known for its apricots and walnuts than for its cutting-edge technology. The first time the term Silicon Valley was used, was in 1971 when a journalist wrote a couple of articles in Electronic News, a weekly electronic industry tabloid, about the semiconductor-industry around Palo Alto, California. Silicon Valley has since then transformed into a region filled with high-tech industry leaders who are constantly developing the most cutting edge technology. The world we live in now is filled with electronics, computers, and high-speed internet communication, and this could not have come about had it not been for the companies, universities, and business ventures of Silicon Valley. The three main catalysts that led to the development of Silicon Valley were Stanford University, the high-tech revolution, and the venture capital industry. Stanford University
Stanford University was founded on October 1881 by a man named Leland Stanford. In his life time Leland Stanford was a successful and rich politician, businessman, and even Governor of California. Leland Stanford put great emphasis on idea development, believing that capable minds needed to think freely and that "imagination needs to be cultivated and developed to assure success in life" (Stanford.edu). In the first years of existence, Stanford's main programs consisted of chemistry and physics. The chemistry program was not very distinguished, while the physics program made great advances. It was not until 1925 that Stanford introduced an Engineering/Electronics Department to its faculty. It was this electronics program that became the foundation of Silicon Valley. One of the most important people in those days turned out to be a Professor of electrical engineering, Frederick Terman. He played an important role in getting Silicon Valley
Until the middle of the century, the region of Northern California we call Silicon Valley, was known as the Valley of Heart's Delight. At that time it was better known for its apricots and walnuts than for its cutting-edge technology. The first time the term Silicon Valley was used, was in 1971 when a journalist wrote a couple of articles in Electronic News, a weekly electronic industry tabloid, about the semiconductor-industry around Palo Alto, California. Silicon Valley has since then transformed into a region filled with high-tech industry leaders who are constantly developing the most cutting edge technology. The world we live in now is filled with electronics, computers, and high-speed internet communication, and this could not have come about had it not been for the companies, universities, and business ventures of Silicon Valley. The three main catalysts that led to the development of Silicon Valley were Stanford University, the high-tech revolution, and the venture capital industry. Stanford University
Stanford University was founded on October 1881 by a man named Leland Stanford. In his life time Leland Stanford was a successful and rich politician, businessman, and even Governor of California. Leland Stanford put great emphasis on idea development, believing that capable minds needed to think freely and that "imagination needs to be cultivated and developed to assure success in life" (Stanford.edu). In the first years of existence, Stanford's main programs consisted of chemistry and physics. The chemistry program was not very distinguished, while the physics program made great advances. It was not until 1925 that Stanford introduced an Engineering/Electronics Department to its faculty. It was this electronics program that became the foundation of Silicon Valley. One of the most important people in those days turned out to be a Professor of electrical engineering, Frederick Terman. He played an important role in getting Silicon Valley
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