The Silicon Genesis Project Announces the History of Fairchild Semiconductor Available on DVD; Proceeds to Fund Future Chronicles of the Semiconductor Industry

Business Wire, March 29, 2005

MENLO PARK, Calif. -- Walker Research Associates of Menlo Park today announced the availability of a three-hour digital video documentary of Fairchild Semiconductor. The DVD, titled "The Fairchild Chronicles," tells the story of the Silicon Valley icon company that invented the integrated circuit and spawned the growth of numerous technology companies.

The Fairchild documentary is based on the Stanford University archived "Silicon Genesis," a series of video oral histories started in 1995 by Rob Walker, one of the founders of LSI Logic and author of Silicon Destiny: The Story of Application Specific Integrated Circuits and LSI Logic Corporation (Milpitas: C.M.C. Publications, 1992; available at www.walkerresearch.com).

"With the passing of Bob Noyce, I became convinced that the history of the pioneers of semiconductors and of Silicon Valley should be preserved on video oral histories. I was overjoyed when I found Stanford University felt the same way, and so we began a collaboration that has continued since 1995 with more than 30 oral histories recorded to date," said Rob Walker.

The Fairchild documentary is told in the words of those who lead the company, including Gordon Moore, Wilf Corrigan, Jerry Sanders, Charlie Sporck and others. Included in the DVD are over sixty early photographs of the company and key executives and employees who contributed to the company's growth and success. The documentary covers the period from Fairchild's founding in 1957 to the purchase of the company by National Semiconductor in 1986.

"The archival record of the semiconductor industry has always been a key component of the Stanford University Libraries archives, beginning with the papers of William Shockley, and the historical records and photography collections of Fairchild, National and other companies. The Silicon Genesis Project, which we started together with Rob Walker, has been our primary effort to add to that record through videotaped oral histories of semiconductor industry pioneers," said Dr. Henry Lowood, Curator for History of Science & Technology Collections, Stanford University Libraries.

"Silicon Valley -- the area immediately surrounding Stanford University -- is known throughout the world as the cradle of the semiconductor industry," said George Scalise, president of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). "SIA is very pleased to support the Stanford University Silicon Genesis Project, a unique program created to capture the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley in the words of the pioneers who made it happen."

"The Fairchild Chronicles" DVD is priced at $39.95 and may be obtained from Panalta Inc. 250 Emerson Street, Palo Alto CA 94301 http://www.panalta.com

All revenues go to The Stanford University Libraries to continue chronicling the history of the semiconductor industry.

About Silicon Genesis

The Silicon Genesis project was the inspiration of Rob Walker, Silicon Valley native and engineer, who has been involved with semiconductors since the 1960s at Fairchild, Intel and as a founder of LSI Logic. Silicon Genesis comprises more than 30 interviews with pioneers of the semiconductor industry, with careful attention to the long-term preservation of these interviews. Archival and viewing copies are available in the Department of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, in addition to the streamed media available on http://silicongenesis.stanford.edu.

(Editor's Note: Artwork Available)