The Man Behind the Microchip
Page 53
17. Funny deal with the microprocessor: Gordon Moore, interview by author, 1 July 2004.
18. Microprocessor would not have happened: Andy Grove, interview by author.
19. Intel nearly only manufacturer without partner: Noyce in Davidow, Flath, Noyce oral history.
20. On Sasaki and Sharp: Dr. Tadashi Sasaki to author, 9 Oct. 2004. Willliam Aspray, “The Social Construction of the Microprocessor: A Japanese and American Story,” in Andrew Goldstein and William Aspray, eds. Facets: New Perspectives on the Hsitory of Semicondcutors (New Brunswick, N.J.: IEEE Center for the History of Electrical Engineering, 1977): 216–267.
21. A god: Roger Borovoy, interview by author. We designed this because of you: Ed Gelbach, interview by author. Busicom appeared: Gordon Moore, interview by author, 1 July 2004.
22. Specifics of the Busicom/Intel agreement: Provisional Agreement between Intel and Nippon Calculating Machine [parent company of Busicom], 28 April 1969, courtesy Ted Hoff.
23. I had no design responsibilities: Ted Hoff, interview by author.
24. Kind of shocked: Ted Hoff, interview by author.
25. One chip performed: James F. Donohoe, “The Microprocessor’s First Decades: The Way It Was,” EDN Microprocessor Issue, 27 Oct. 1988.
26. Detail was not so good: Shima quoted in Willliam Aspray, “The Social Construction of the Microprocessor: A Japanese and American Story,” in Andrew Goldstein and William Aspray, eds. Facets: New Perspectives on the History of Semicondcutors (New Brunswick, N.J.: IEEE Center for the History of Electrical Engineering, 1977): 216–267.
27. Exchange between Noyce and Hoff: Ted Hoff, interview by author. Argued yourself into some smart things: Les Vadasz, interview by author.
28. Why don’t you go ahead: Ted Hoff, interview by author.
29. Made an announcement: Gordon Moore in Moore, Vadasz, Parker oral history, 17 Oct. 1983, IA. Reverse engineered a competing chip: Tom Rowe in Innes, Rowe oral history, IA.
30. Les was so excited: Tom Rowe quoted in Revolution in Progress (1983, internal Intel publication): 10.
31. Twenty to sixty cents per bit: Bassett, To the Digital Age, 191. Sales were sluggish: “Intel Slices 2 Circuit Prices,” Electronic News, 26 Jan. 1970.
32. Always very helpful: Ted Hoff, interview by author. Enthusiasm not so obvious: Gordon Moore, interview by author, 1 July 2004.
33. All quotes from the letter: Noyce to Mr. Y. Kojima, 21 Aug. 1969, courtesy Ted Hoff. Bob Graham followed up with a letter: Robert Graham to Mr. Y. Kojima, 16 Sept. 1969, courtesy Ted Hoff.
34. Bit of a coup: Hoff quoted in Aspray, “Social Construction of the Microprocessor.”
35. Agreement between the two companies: agreement between Intel and Nippon Calculating Machine, 6 Feb. 1970, courtesy Ted Hoff. Busicom executive sent a gently worded letter: Saburo Yamada to Noyce, 20 March 1970, courtesy Ted Hoff.
36. We’re starting another project; go away, go away: Andy Grove, interview by author.
37. Management near panic: this chart is referenced in Innes, Rowe oral history, IA. More painful for Noyce than Moore: Lindgren, “Two-Headed Monster.”
38. Headlines: Electronic News, 27 July 1990.
39. Rock was quite comfortable: Gerard Currie, interview by author, 12 April 2004.
40. The thing just couldn’t remember: Grove in Gelbach, Grove, Jenkins oral history, IA. Hoff’s 28-page memo: “The Intel 1103: The MOS memory that defied cores,” Electronics, 23 April 1973.
41. 1103 more challenging: Gordon Moore, interview by author, 1 July 2004.
42. When the light bulb was invented: Steve Jobs quoted in Regis McKenna, Real Time: Preparing for the Age of the Never Satisfied Customer (Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1997): 165.
43. All you had to do: Noyce in Davidow, Flath, Noyce oral history, IA. Details on MIL agreement: Securities and Exchange Commission, Intel Corporation Capital Stock Preliminary Prospectus, 20 July 1971. Noyce told Intel’s investors: Noyce to Shareholders, 16 July 1970, courtesy Ted Hoff. It’s not every day: Andy Grove, interview by author.
44. As aggressively as I was capable, this will be the death of Intel: Andy Grove, interview by author.
45. We have decided to do this: Andy Grove, interview by author. MIL payment lowered losses: Intel Corporation Consolidated Financial Statements, 31 Dec. 1971 and 1970, IA.
46. Noyce at MIL party: Stan Mazor in Mazor, Thompson, Whittier oral history.
47. Your part depends: “Noyce’s Medieval Moonlighting,” Peninsula Electronics News, 27 March 1972. Hierarchy power and knowledge power: Les Vadasz, interview by author. Operations managers presenting to board: Richard Hodgson, interview by author; Mike Markkula, interview by author.
48. Wheel-type organization chart: This anecdote is from Jackson, Inside Intel, 36.
49. We, not I, did this: Judy Vadasz, interview by author.
50. One of the reasons: Lindgren, “Building a Rational Two-Headed Monster.” On Cybercom: Julius Blank to author, 17 May 2004.
51. On Coherent Radiation: Jim Hobart, interview by author; Coherent Radiation Annual Reports, 1970–1983; Coherent Radiation Initial Public Offering Prospectus, 19 May 1970.
52. On Four-Phase: Lee Boysel, interview with author. For a discussion of why Boysel did not trumpet the news of Four-Phase’s microprocessor, see Bassett, To the Digital Age, 256–261.
53. Somehow they usually reached: Glenn Leggett, interview by author.
54. This College: FBI report quoted in Alan Jones, Pioneering, 176. Playboy is a money changer: Alan Jones, Pioneering, 173. Outside agitators: Penny Noyce to author, 27 April 2004.
55. Big city kids: Glenn Leggett, interview by author. Violent action: Glenn Leggett to Grinnell parents, reprinted in Grinnell Scarlet & Black, 15 May 1970. Act of official repression: resolution quoted in Alan Jones, Pioneering, 177. For protests and tensions at Grinnell in April and May 1970, the best source is the student newspaper, Grinnell Scarlet & Black. Temperature at that campus was rising: Glenn Leggett, interview by author.
56. We [trustees] don’t know anything: Glenn Leggett, interview by author.
57. Events at Kent State predictable: Penny Noyce to author, 28 April 2004. A pioneering adventure: Alan Jones, Pioneering, 177. Student athletes refusing to compete, Noyce worried that the college was pandering: George Drake, interview by author. We are the revolutionaries: Moore quoted in Gene Bylinsky, “How Intel Won Its Bet on Memory Chips,” Fortune, Nov. 1973, 143.
58. It helped, Andy couldn’t have done that: Ed Gelbach, interview by author.
59. Japan’s percentage of Intel’s sales: Intel SEC filing, March 1972. Kojima wanted Intel: My choice of the February date for this conversation is based on notations in Noyce’s 1971 datebook, which indicate the two men met on February 8 in Japan. Mr. Kojima does not appear again in Noyce’s notes until September 21.
60. Standard 2-by-4 or 6-penny nail: Noyce quoted in “The past, present and future of microprocessors,” San Jose Mercury News, 19 Oct. 1981.
61. On Noyce’s private market research: Noyce in Davidow, Flath, Noyce oral history; Bill Davidow recalls being buttonholed by Noyce in early 1970 (when Davidow was at Intel competitor Signetics), who asked him about his thoughts on “a general purpose way of programming logic.” Noyce’s datebooks show conversations with Davidow in November and December 1969.
62. Noyce was almost alone among senior management: Ted Hoff, interview by author; Les Vadasz, interview by author. Hoff thinks: Gordon Moore, interview by author. 2,000 units per year: Noyce and Hoff, “A History of Microprocessor Development at Intel,” IEEE Micro, Feb. 1981.
63. On office building: “Intel Corp. Breaks Ground for New Headquarters,” Palo Alto Times, 21 April 1970.
64. When I came down for breakfast: Ted Hoff, interview by author.
65. Every major computer manufacturer: “Markkula Takes Intel Market Post,” Electronic News, 8 Feb. 1971. Noyce and Rock felt: Arthur Rock, interview by author. One robin doesn’t make a spring:
Noyce to All Employees, undated but clearly Sept. 1971, courtesy Ted Hoff.
66. Noyce’s IPO-related activities: Noyce 1971 datebook.
67. Options to every employee, including janitors: Mike Markkula, interview by author. Details of stock purchase plan: Noyce to All Employees, 25 Jan. 1972, courtesy Ted Hoff.
68. It was far too painful, Grove conversation with Moore: Andy Grove, interview by author.
69. Noyce began interviewing: Noyce 1971 datebook. Grove interviewed Gelbach: Ed Gelbach, interview by author. Mustache impressed Grove: Grove, Gelbach, Jenkins oral history, IA.
70. Made it a lot easier for me: Gordon Moore, interview by author. Noyce interaction with Graham, Graham conversation with his wife: Bob Graham, interview by Charlie Sporck.
71. Like cutting out his liver: Andy Grove, interview by author.
72. All quotes on microprocessor: Noyce 1971–1973 record book.
73. Exclusivity: 31 Aug. 1971 entry in 1971-73 record book Negotiations finalized September 21: Noyce’s meeting with Busicom is from his datebook. In a 1983 interview, Noyce said that the negotiations were conducted in Japan, and that he attended them. Moreover, materials Intel filed with the SEC, dated 20 July 1971, make no mention of a microprocessor or logic-circuit business, which leads me to believe the rights were negotiated back to Intel after this date. Japanese don’t use lawyers: Noyce in Davidow, Flath, Noyce oral history, IA.
74. Tiger by the tail: Ted Hoff, interview by author. Should we wait to get something better: Noyce in Davidow, Flath, Noyce oral history, IA. On board fears of microprocessor: Gelbach, Grove, and Jenkins oral history; Noyce and Hoff, “History of Microprocessor Development at Intel,” 13.
75. Every time you delay: Ted Hoff, interview by author.
76. Microprocessors meant nothing: Andy Grove, interview by author.
77. On Intel IPO: Securities and Exchange Commission, Intel Corporation Capital Stock Preliminary Prospectus, 20 July 1971.
78. All biographical details about Barbara Maness and details about her relationship with Noyce: Barbara Eiler (the former Barbara Maness), interview by author.
79. An open invitation for Bob to find another woman: Intel executive requesting anonymity.
80. I was very protective: Barbara Eiler, interview by author.
81. A millionaire ten times over: Securities and Exchange Commission, Intel Corporation Capital Stock Preliminary Prospectus, 20 July 1971.
82. Tough to teach values, easier to be raised by a poor father: Kathy Cohen, interview by author.
83. A new era: “Announcing a New Era of Integrated Electronics,” (advertisement), Electronic News, 15 Nov. 1971. More than 5,000 people, reference to the suite: Aspray, “Social History of the Microprocessor,” 243.
84. Changes not by moving objects: Noyce and Hoff, “A History of Microprocessor Development at Intel,” 13.
85. Couldn’t promote: Regis McKenna, interview by Rob Walker, Silicon Genesis collection, SSC. Independent microprocessor marketing: “We absolutely had a small company going for practical purposes.” Ed Gelbach in Gelbach, Grove, Jenkins oral history. Owners’ manual ran over 100 pages: Frederico Faggin, “The Birth of the Microprocessor,” 356. Lots of people who wanted to read: Bill Davidow in Davidow, Flath, and Noyce oral history.
86. Lower confrontation level: Bill Davidow in Davidow, Flath, Noyce oral history. Intel seminars: “Intel’s Second Computer On a Chip!” advertisement, Electronic News, 24 April 1972.
87. Uses of microprocessors: Regis McKenna, interview by author. Customers to be proud of: Gelbach, Grove, Jenkins oral history.
88. How Noyce defused problems: Mike Markkula, interview by author; Roger Borovoy, interview by author.
89. Missionary work: Noyce and Hoff, “A History of Microprocessor Development at Intel,” IEEE Micro, Feb. 1981. Noyce’s speech during family bus ride: Linda Vognar and Bob Noyce [Don Noyce’s son], interview by author.
90. Microprocessor was just a toy: Bill Davidow, interview by author.
91. Microprocessor falling through the floor: Regis McKenna, interview by author; Ted Hoff, interview by author; Lindgren, “Building a Rational Two-Headed Monster.” On microprocessor repairs: Ted Hoff, interview by author.
92. Battle of opinion: Noyce quoted in Donohue, “Microprocessor’s First Two Decades: The Way it Was.”
93. Noyce visit to General Motors: Davidow, Flath, and Noyce oral history, IA.
94. 4004 slow and rudimentary: “The Chip—Twentieth-Century Revolutionary,” [roughly 1983], IA.
95. Noyce taking concept car for a spin: Noyce in Davidow, Flath, Noyce oral history.
Chapter 9: The Edge of What’s Barely Possible
1. We are not doing well at all: Grove’s ESM [Executive Staff Meeting] notes 10 Jan. 1972, IA. Brief, between long periods of silence and sighs: Grove’s ESM notes, 4 Dec. 1972, IA.
2. One hundred thousand 1103s each year: Noyce quoted in “Viewpoint,” New Electronics, 25 April 1972. No competitors: “Gelbach Maps Intel Goals,” Electronic News, 23 Aug. 1971. Effectively all of Intel’s revenue was dependent on the 1103: Ed Gelbach quoted in Gelbach, Grove, and Jenkins oral history, IA. An academic who team-teaches a course at Stanford with Andy Grove estimates that the 1103 accounted for fully 90 percent of Intel’s 1972 revenue. Robert A. Burgelman, “Fading Memories: A Process Study of Strategic Business Exit in Dynamic Environments.” Administrative Science Quarterly 39 (1994): 24–56.
3. Noyce’s interest in daycare center: “Day care center—get involved,” note from 31 Jan. 1972, record book; conversation with Jean Jones.
4. $2 million for Microma: Minutes of Board of Directors meeting, 13 April 1972, IA. $20 million expected Microma sales: Sam Rosenthal to Joe Rosenfield, 27 Nov. 1972, courtesy Warren Buffett.
5. Boy Noyce showed us: Sam Rosenthal to Joe Rosenfield, 27 Nov. 1972, courtesy Warren Buffett.
6. Forty percent pretax margin: Joe Rosenfield to Sam Rosenthal, Don Wilson, and Warren Buffett, 17 April 1973, courtesy Warren Buffett.
7. Moved 1974 research to 1973, Bob is very anxious: Joe Rosenfield to Sam Rosenthal, Don Wilson, and Warren Buffett, 17 April 1973, courtesy Warren Buffett.
8. Intel is the best vehicle we have: Warren Buffett to Joe Rosenfield, 20 April, 1973. Courtesy Warren Buffett.
9. Just to put your minds at rest: Noyce to Optionees, 3 March 1973, IA. Only thing limiting its growth: Noyce quoted in Lloyd Watson, “A Classic Case of Growth,” San Francisco Chronicle, no date, but clearly 1973.
10. Assumed petrochemicals and power were free and available: “Coast Semicon firms Gird for Worst in Energy Crisis,” Electronic News, 3 Dec. 1973. Power consumption of fabs: “Electronics Industry’s Power Plea,” San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Dec. 1973.
11. After a third blackout: Noyce quoted in “Electronics Industry’s Power Plea,” San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Dec. 1973. Pushed for bill: “Semicon Firms Hit Power Cut Plans,” Electronic News, 10 Dec. 1973; “Bay Area Energy Crisis Spreads Throughout California, Electronic News, 24 Nov. 1973; “Energy Fight in 2d Phase,” Electronic News, 17 December 1973; “Utilities Commission Holds Bay Area Fate,” Electronic News, 3 Dec. 1973; “Electronics Industry’s Power Plea,” San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Dec. 1973; “Bill to Prohibit Blackouts in Calif. ‘Watered Down,’” Electronic News, 4 Feb. 1974.
12. This really is a controlled society: Noyce quoted in Lindgren, “Building a Rational Two-Headed Monster.”
13. Government affecting our lives more and more: Noyce quoted in Ron Iscoff, “No Slowdown in Demand for Semicons: Noyce,” Electronic News, 31 Dec. 1973.
14. Teetering on the edge of what’s barely possible, electronic applications appear to be unlimited: Noyce in Peninsula, Electronics News, 31 Dec. 1973.
15. Value of Noyce’s stock: calculated by multiplying the number of his shares by the appropriate market price of Intel’s stock as recorded in a historical chart included in Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, 21 June 1976.
&n
bsp; 16. Do you think I could do: Penny Noyce, interview by author. Get the barriers out of the way: Noyce quoted in Walter Guzzardi, “Wisdom from the Giants of Business,” Fortune 3 July 1989, 78–91.
17. Noyce’s work with the puffins: Steve Kress (director of the Puffin Project), interview by author.
18. You do a little work for a little money: Penny Noyce, interview by author.
19. Money can do lots of things: Polly Noyce, interview by author.
20. On the first use of the term “Silicon Valley”: Don Hoefler, “Silicon Valley—USA,” Electronic News (11, 18, and 25 Jan. 1971); and Hoefler, “Captains Outrageous” and “Taking Blame for the Name,” California Today (supplement to the San Jose Mercury News), 28 June 1981, 42–45. Sources for other names for the region are Charles Petit, “Wizard of Silicon Gulch,” Peninsula Times Tribune, 21 Sept. 1977; Bill Densmore, “The Santa Clara Valley electronics industry comes of age during the ‘me’ generation decade,” Peninsula Times Tribune, 28 Dec. 1979, “The Splintering of the Solid-State Electronics Industry,” Innovation 8, 1969. Articles on Noyce and Moore: “Why cores could become just a memory,” Business Week, 26 Dec. 1970—ostensibly about the memory business, but contains exactly one photo—of Noyce. Fortune article: Gene Bylinsky, “How Intel won its bet on memory chips,” Fortune, Nov. 1973.
21. Extension of the microcomputer into just about everything: “Interview Robert Noyce—1973,” IA. Control gadgetry will permit: Lindsay Arthur, “The Computer Miracle for the Home and Car,” no date, but clearly 1973, IA. Noyce’s speech: Bill Noyce to family, 14 April [1973].
22. Dr. Noyce finds time for skiing: “Bob Noyce of Intel Speaks Out on the Integrated Circuit Industry,” EDN/EEE, 15 Sept. 1971. Just what every parent hopes: “Noyce’s New Winner: Intel,” Electronic Engineering Times, 11 Sept. 1972.