The Future of Electronics

In 1965, Dr. Gordon Moore working as the Director of R&D for Fairchild Semiconductor published a paper titled “Cramming more components onto integrated circuits”. In his paper, he discusses the future of electronics and how these “integrated circuits will lead to such wonders as home computers—or at least terminals connected to a central computer—automatic controls for automobiles, and personal portable communications equipment”. He also discusses how the rate in which the number of transistors that could be put onto an integrated circuit will increase. His observations were based on observed data between 1959 and 1964. The rate was doubling every one to two years. He extrapolated these findings and stated that this trend would continue along the same line, or even quicker, for at least ten years. He went on to co-found Intel in 1968. Around 1970 his observation became referred to as Moore’s Law, and this pace of improvement continued on for many years. Although it is not a Natural Law, it has stood the test of time. This trend has continued and along with decrease in production costs, technology and innovation have exploded. How long could this remarkable pace continue?

The economic and social impact of this phenomenon has been nothing short of amazing. A computer manufactured in 2010 would be roughly half the price in 2011, and probably obsolete by 2012. The declining cost has allowed more and more people in the world to have access to computers and computing devices. Moore’s Law was also a driver for innovation as firms and technologists were always striving to fulfill Moore’s Law year after year. This led to the tech boom in the 1990’s and all sorts of new innovative companies. Some managed to survive the bubble bursting, and some weren’t so lucky. Firms that managed to survive the bubble bursting gained wealth, and new types of entrepreneurs, along with consumers, came out of this evolving industry. In today’s world, it’s all about the