The Silicon Genesis Project is an on-going oral history project on the history of Silicon Valley and the semiconductor industry, conducted by volunteers and housed at the Stanford University Library.

History The Silicon Genesis project was started and built upon the inspiration of Rob Walker (1935-2016). Rob was a Silicon Valley native and Silicon Valley educated electrical engineer, who was involved with the semiconductor industry since the 1960s at Fairchild, Intel and as a founder of LSI Logic. He understood that if the stories of these pioneers were not captured for the benefit of future public access, they would be untold and lost forever. In 1995, Rob began a project with the Silicon Valley Archives in the Stanford University Libraries to record oral history interviews focused on the history of the semiconductor industry. The resulting video recordings and interview transcripts form the basis for the Silicon Genesis collection at Stanford, and available for researchers and others with an interest in this history.

Role of Stanford University The Silicon Valley Archives in the Stanford Libraries provides access to several collections related to the Silicon Genesis oral histories. These include the Rob Walker Papers, the Silicon Destiny collection of oral history cassette tapes, videos, and transcripts assembled for Rob Walker's book Silicon Destiny, and the Silicon Genesis collection, which includes physical media for many of the interviews in the series featured in the exhibit.

The collection of interviews

Interviews Subjects to be interviewed have been chosen based on their historic contributions to the semiconductor and related industries. Persons conducting the interviews are former executives of semiconductor companies and have expertise in the fields being discussed. These individuals have volunteered their time to identify persons of historic interest, scheduled and conducted interviews, assist with post-production, and review transcripts. Once posted, interviews are available as both streaming video files and lightly edited transcripts.

Interview format Prior to 2020, most interviews were typically conducted one-on-one in an informal and comfortable setting, often the home of the interviewee. More recent interviews have been conducted on the Stanford campus, often the Green Library. Interviews start with a bit of family and personal history, educational background, and then dive a range of relevant topics relating to the subject's historical contributions to the semiconductor or related industry.

Individual interviews SubjectYearAffiliationsInterviewerAmelio, Gil2000Bell Labs, National, AppleRob WalkerBalletto, Jack2012Lockheed, Western Microwave, GME, Fairchild, Ricoh, Synertek, VLSIRob WalkerBeyer, Richard M.2018National, VLSI Technology, Intersil, SIA, Freescale (Motorola)Robert N. BlairBlair, Robert N.2011Marconi, SGS-Fairchild, Fairchild, LSI Logic, Crosspoint, Monterey DesignRob WalkerBorovoy, Roger2024Fish & Richardson, IntelDavid LawsBourgoin, John2023Motorola, AMD, Silicon Graphics, MIPSLaila RazoukBrokaw, Paul2006Analog DevicesRob WalkerBrooks, Don2000Texas Instruments, Fairchild, TSMC, UMCRob WalkerBurkett, Marvin2023AMD, NvidiaLaila RazoukCarter, Dennis2004Rockwell, IntelRob WalkerChang, Morris2007Sylvania, Texas Instruments, TSMC, SEMIAnon CHMCorrigan, Wilfred1998Transitron, Motorola, Fairchild, LSI LogicRob WalkerCotter, Ruth2023AMDLaila RazoukDarringer, John A.2017Philips, IBMRobert N. BlairDavidow, William (Bill) H.2016General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, Signetics, Intel, Mohr Davidow VenturesRobert N. Blairde Geus, Aart2016General Electric, SynopsisRobert N. Blairder Torossian, Papken2018Hewlett-Packard, Spectra Physics, Plantronics, ECS Microsystems, SVGRobert N. BlairDeWolf, Nick2005General Electric, Transitron, Texas Instruments, TeradyneCraig AddisonDickson, John2016Plessy, Texas Instruments, ICL, Headland Technologies, AT&T, Lucent, LSI LogicRobert N. BlairDiller, James2017Transitron, Fairchild, National, PMC SierraRobert N. BlairDowney, James1995General Electric, Fairchild, AMD, Read/Write, DasTechRob WalkerDoyle, Norman Patrick2018Fairchild, AlteraRobert N. Blair, Geri HadleyEast, John2008Fairchild, AMD, ActelRob WalkerFaggin, Federico1995Olivetti, Fairchild, Intel, Zilog, Cygnet, SynapticsRob WalkerFederman, Irwin2015Monolithic Memories (MMI), AMD, USVP, SIARobert N. BlairFernandez, Manuel (Manny)2024ITT, Harris, Gavilan, Dataquest, Zilog, Gartner, SyscoLaila RazoukFullagar, David2018Ferranti, Transitron, Fairchild, Intersil, MaximRobert N. BlairGallagher, David2005GCA, SEMICraig AddisonGallagher, Ted2005Tegal, Matrix Integrated Systems, Motorola, SEMICraig AddisonGifford, Jack2002Fairchild, AMD, MaximRob WalkerGray, Paul1998UC Berkeley, Fairchild R&DRob WalkerHailey, Kim & Shawn1997Meta SoftwareRob WalkerHadley, Geri2019Fairchild, VLSI Technology, LSI LogicDavid Laws, Robert N. Blair Halla, Brian2006Control Data, Intel, LSI Logic, NationalRob WalkerHarrel, Sam2004Texas Instruments, Computervision, Micronix, KLA Tencor, SEMI-SEMATECHCraig AddisonHartman, Robert2018Standard Oil, Rockwell, Electronic Arrays, Fairchild, Signetics, Source III, AlteraRobert N. BlairHennessy, John2005Stanford, MIPS, StanfordRob WalkerHiveley, Jim2017Motorola, Fairchild, Texas Instruments, RCA, Monolithic Memories, LSI LogicRobert N. BlairHodgson, Richard1995Fairchild, IntelRob WalkerHogan, C. Lester1995Bell Labs, Motorola, FairchildRob WalkerHoff, Marcian "Ted"1995Intel, Atari, TekliconRob WalkerHolbrook, Tony2024AMD, MIPSLaila RazoukHouse, Dave2005Raytheon, Honeywell, Motorola, Intel, Bay Networks, NortelRob WalkerHuang, Jen-Hsun2010AMD, LSI Logic, NvidiaRob WalkerLam, David2007Texas Instruments, Xerox, Hewlett-Packard, Lam ResearchCraig AddisonLast, Jay T.2007Shockley Labs, FairchildCraig AddisonLaws, David2013Fairchild, AMD, AlteraRobert N. BlairLowood, Henry2026Stanford University LibrariesLaila RazoukKawanishi, Tsuyoshi2011Toshiba Semiconductor, SMICRob WalkerKesting, Curt2006Fairchild, ST MicroelectronicsHorst Sandfort (in German)Koford, Jim1999IBM, Fairchild, Monterey Design SystemsRob WalkerKvamme, Floyd2013Fairchild, National, Apple, Kleiner-PerkinsRobert N. BlairMarkkula, Mike2014Fairchild, Intel, Apple, EchelonRobert N. BlairMartinotti, Piero2013SGS-Fairchild, Motorola, Weber Carburetor, SGS, ST SemiconductorRobert N. BlairMalone, Joe2023FairchildDavid LawsMarren, Bernie2008Avco, Fairchild, Western Micro, AMI, SIA, OPTiRob WalkerMazor, Stan2000Fairchild, Intel, Silicon CompilersRob WalkerMcCoy, Tom2025AMD, O'Melveny & Meyers, CH2M HillMcCranie, Dan2016General Dynamics, Signetics, Harris, SEEQ, Cypress, ActelRobert N. BlairMcCullough, Jack1990Eitel-McCullough, IncAnonMcKenna, Regis1995General Microelectronics, National, Regis McKenna, IncRob WalkerMcNeilly, Michael2004Union Carbide, Apogee Chemicals, Applied Materials, SEMICraig AddisonMensch, William1995Motorola, Philco-Ford, MOS Technology, Commodore ComputerRob WalkerMoore, Gordon1995Shockley Labs, Fairchild, IntelRob WalkerMorgan, Jim2004Textron, Applied MaterialsRob WalkerMurphy, K.C.2024Scientific Atlanta, AMD, Cadence, Next I/O, PivotalLaila RazoukNewhagen, Paul2019Raychem, Fairchild, Source III, AlteraDavid Laws, Laila RazoukPausa, Clements E.2017Fairchild, NationalRobert N. BlairPalmer, Robert B.2004Texas Instruments, Mostek, Digital Equipment CorporationCraig AddisonParker, Gerry2003Mobil Oil, Hewlett-Packard, Fairchild, IntelRob WalkerPierce, John1995Bell Labs, Caltech, StanfordRob WalkerPistorio, Pasquale2011SGS, ST MicroelectronicsRob WalkerPrevite, Rich2025Philco, General Micro-electronics, AMD, GlobalFoundriesLaila RazoukRazouk, Laila2022AMD, Fantasma Networks, Bio VitesseDavid LawsRhines, Waldon2015Texas Instruments, Mentor GraphicsRobert N. BlairRock, Arthur2002Venture CapitalRob WalkerRogers, T. J.2013AMI, AMD, CypressRobert N. BlairRotsky, George1995JournalistRob WalkerSalisbury, Philip2025Fairchild, Intel, SeeqLaila RazoukSanders, W. Jerry2002Douglas Aircraft, Motorola, Fairchild, AMDRob WalkerSandfort, Horst G.2007Litronix, Fairchild, LSI Logic, IntellonRob WalkerScalise, George2003Motorola, Fairchild, AMD, Apple, Semiconductor Industry AssociationRob WalkerSchütze, Dr. Hans J.2006Texas Instruments EuropeHorst Sandfort (in German)Segal, Ed2004Applied Materials, Transpacific, Metron, SEMICraig AddisonSello, Harry1995Shockley Labs, Fairchild, SGSRob WalkerSkurko, Robert2017FairchildRobert N. BlairSonsini, Larry2003Davis and Rock, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & RosatiRob WalkerSopkin, Elliot2013Fairchild, AMDGeri HadleySporck, Charlie2000General Electric, Fairchild, NationalRob WalkerSprague, Peter2012National, Sprague Industries, Aston Martin LagondaRobert N. BlairStrata, Ray2006Analog DevicesRob WalkerSwanson, Bob2006Transitron, Fairchild, National, Linear TechnologyRob WalkerTedlow, Richard S.2008Harvard Business School (discusses IBM, DEC, Intel, AMD,..)Rob WalkerValentine, Don2004Fairchild, National, Sequoia CapitalRob WalkerHarold, Vitale2009Fairchild, Genrad, LTX/Trillium, CredenceRob WalkerVonderschmitt, Bernard1995RCA, Zilog, XilinxRob WalkerWalker, Rob1998Ford Aerospace, Fairchild, Intel, LSI Logic, Silicon Genesis ProjectSusan Ayers WalkerWeinig, Sheldon2006Materials Research CorporationCraig AddisonWells, George2010ITT, Fairchild, LSI Logic, ExarRob WalkerWetlessen, Gunnar2018AMI, Synertek, VLSI TechnologyRobert N. BlairWilder, Marshall2025AMD, Synergy Semiconductor, Tropian, Global Locate, BroadcomLaila RazoukWolken, Peter2007RCA, Beckman Instruments, General Electric, Computervision, SEMICraig AddisonYawata, Keisuke (KK)2007NEC, LSI Logic, Applied MaterialsRob WalkerYoshida, Shoichiro2004Nikon, SEMICraig AddisonYu, Albert2005Fairchild, IntelRob WalkerZelencik, Steve2013Amphenol, Fairchild, AMDRobert N. BlairZetes, Arthur2017Clevite Semiconductor, Fairchild, Rheem, LockheedRobert N. Blair

Group interviews +SubjectsYearAffiliationsInterviewerSteve Allen, Lawrence Bender, Richard Steinheimer1995Fairchild, National, LeapfrogRob WalkerRobert Ulrickson, John Nichols1995FairchildRob WalkerBob Dobbins, Jim Williams2006Linear TechnologyRob WalkerMartin Cooper, Arlene Harris2007Motorola, Dyna, GreatCallRob Walker

Panel and special interest videos +TitleYear PostedNotesGeorge Rotsky - Journalist1995Electronic Design, EDN, EE TimesThe Fairchild Chronicles2005A nearly three hour documentary on the history of Fairchild SemiconductorSilicon Genesis Europe - Roundtable2006Six European semi executives. Recorded @ Electronica. In GermanRob Walker standup2006Outtakes from Silicon Genesis interviewsFairchild 50th Anniversary Panel2007Julius Blank, Jay Last, Gordon Moore, and Arthur Rock. Audio only. Hosted by John Hennessy. Moderated by Leslie BerlinSilicon Genesis 30th Anniversary Celebration2025Michael Keller, Henry Lowood, Laila Razouk, John East

Highlighted collections The Stanford Library highlights individual interviews that are grouped together according to an area of interest. As of January 2025, there were 18 featured collections from companies, venture capital and industry associations SEMI and the Semiconductor Industry Association.

References