Man Behind Microchip Robert Noyce

Man Behind Microchip Robert Noyce

Hailed as the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford of Silicon Valley, Robert Noyce was a brilliant inventor, a leading entrepreneur, and a daring risk taker who piloted his own jets and skied Mountains accessible only by helicopter. Now, in The Man Behind the Microchip , Leslie Berlin captures not only this colorful individual but also the vibrant interplay of technology, business, money, politics, and culture that defines Silicon Valley.

Here is the life of a high-tech industry giant. The co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel, Noyce co-invented the Integrated circuit, the electronic heart of every modern computer, automobile, cellular telephone, Advanced weapon, and video game. With access to never-before-seen documents, Berlin paints a fascinating portrait of Noyce: an ambitious and intensely competitive multimillionaire who exuded a "just folks" sort of charm, a Midwestern preacher's son who rejected organized Religion but would counsel his employees to "go off and do something wonderful," a man who never looked back and sometimes paid a Price for it. In addition, this vivid Narrative sheds light on Noyce's friends and associates, including some of the best-known managers, venture capitalists, and Creative minds in Silicon Valley. Berlin draws upon interviews with dozens of key players in modern American business--including Andy Grove, Steve Jobs, Gordon Moore, and Warren Buffett; their recollections of Noyce give readers a privileged, first-hand Look inside the dynamic World of high-tech entrepreneurship.

A modern American success story, The Man Behind the Microchip illuminates the triumphs and setbacks of one of the most important inventors and entrepreneurs of our time.