# Gordon Moore

> Gordon Earle Moore (1929-2023) was the co-founder and emeritus chairman of Intel Corporation, and the visionary behind Moore's Law - the observation that the number of transistors on integrated circuits doubles approximately every two years. A chemist and physicist by training, Moore was one of the 'Traitorous Eight' who left Shockley Semiconductor to found Fairchild Semiconductor in 1957, then co-founded Intel in 1968 with Robert Noyce. His 1965 prediction became the guiding principle of the semiconductor industry and fueled the digital revolution. Beyond technology, Moore and his wife Betty donated over $10 billion through their foundation to environmental conservation, scientific research, and patient care, making him one of the most generous philanthropists in history.

- **Role:** Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Intel Corporation (deceased 2023)
- **Organizations:** Intel Corporation, Fairchild Semiconductor, Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- **From:** San Francisco, California, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Chemistry (attended), San José State College, B.S. in Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Ph.D. in Chemistry and Physics, California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- **Known for:** Formulated Moore's Law (1965) - the observation that transistors on integrated circuits double approximately every two years, Co-founded Intel Corporation (1968), which became the world's leading semiconductor manufacturer, Member of the 'Traitorous Eight' who founded Fairchild Semiconductor (1957)

## Career timeline

- **1954** — Received Ph.D. in Chemistry and Physics from Caltech
- **1954-1956** — Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University - researched solid rocket propellants
- **1956** — Joined Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory in Palo Alto as a chemist
- **1957** — Left Shockley with seven others ('Traitorous Eight') to co-found Fairchild Semiconductor
- **1965** — Published 'Cramming More Components onto Integrated Circuits' - formulated Moore's Law
- **1965** — Director of Research and Development at Fairchild Semiconductor
- **1968** — Co-founded NM Electronics (later Intel Corporation) with Robert Noyce
- **1968-1975** — Executive Vice President, Intel Corporation
- **1975** — Revised Moore's Law to doubling every two years (from one year)
- **1975-1979** — President and CEO, Intel Corporation
- **1979-1987** — Chairman and CEO, Intel Corporation
- **1987-1997** — Chairman of the Board, Intel Corporation
- **1990** — Awarded National Medal of Technology by President George H.W. Bush
- **1997** — Named Chairman Emeritus of Intel Corporation
- **2000** — Established Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation with $5 billion initial gift
- **2001** — Donated $600 million to Caltech - largest higher education gift at the time
- **2002** — Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush
- **2008** — Received IEEE Medal of Honor
- **2009** — Inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame
- **2023** — Passed away at age 94 in Waimea, Hawaii on March 24

## Achievements

- Formulated Moore's Law (1965) - the observation that transistors on integrated circuits double approximately every two years
- Co-founded Intel Corporation (1968), which became the world's leading semiconductor manufacturer
- Member of the 'Traitorous Eight' who founded Fairchild Semiconductor (1957)
- Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom (2002) - highest U.S. civilian honor
- Awarded National Medal of Technology and Innovation (1990)
- Received IEEE Medal of Honor (2008)
- Inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame (2009)
- Donated over $10 billion to charity through the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- Made $600 million donation to Caltech (2001) - largest higher education gift at the time
- Led Intel as President (1975-1979), CEO (1975-1987), and Chairman (1979-1997)
- Received Othmer Gold Medal (2001)
- Received Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Global Innovation

## Latest updates

- **2023-03** — Gordon Moore passed away at age 94 on March 24, 2023, at his home in Waimea, Hawaii
- **2023-03** — Tributes poured in from across the tech industry celebrating Moore's legacy and contributions to computing
- **2023-03** — The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation continues operations with approximately $9 billion in assets

## Links

- Website: https://www.moore.org
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/Gordonmoore

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Last updated: 2026-05-03