Biography of Federico Faggin
Federico Faggin is an Italian physicist, engineer, and entrepreneur, best known for designing the first commercially successful microprocessor, the Intel 4004.
He was born on December 1, 1941, in Vicenza, Italy. Faggin's contributions to the development of the microprocessor revolutionized the field of electronics and computing.
Faggin has founded and co-founded several companies, including Zilog and Cybro, and has received numerous awards for his work, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
He is widely recognized as one of the most important figures in the history of the microprocessor and the development of modern computing.
Faggin's work has had a lasting impact on the technology industry, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of engineers and entrepreneurs.
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Federico Faggin’s Career Leading to the Design of the Intel 4004
Connecting the dots on the road to the 4004.
1960-1961 - Olivetti Electronics Laboratory (Italy): Co-designing and building a small experimental computer at Olivetti.
Federico at 19 led a small team of 4 technicians at the Olivetti Electronics Laboratory in Borgolombardo, near Milano (Italy), to build a small experimental electronic computer. Faggin co-designed and built the computer and became leader of the project when his boss had a serious car accident. During that project he learned much about computer architecture, logic design, and circuit design with transistors, as well as project leadership.
Early Career of Federico Faggin
Faggin's journey to designing the Intel 4004 began at the Olivetti Electronics Laboratory in Italy, where he co-designed and built a small experimental computer at just 19 years old.
He led a team of 4 technicians, gaining valuable experience in computer architecture, logic design, and circuit design with transistors, as well as project leadership.
This early experience laid the foundation for his future work, including the development of the Intel 4004.
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The computer is the rack behind the group housing a few hundred small PC boards, using circuits made with germanium transistors, diodes, resistors and capacitors. The computer had a magnetic core memory of 4096 words of 12 bits per word, and used approximately 1000 logic gates for the CPU. It was completed and fully functional in December 1961.
1961-1965 - University of Padua (Italy): Laurea in Physics from the University of Padua summa cum laude.
During this period Federico studied Physics at the University of Padua, graduating summa cum laude with an experimental thesis on Flying Spot Scanners for the automatic reading of spark-chamber photographs. He also taught Electronics Laboratory during the Academic year 1965-1966 to 3rd year physics students.
Faggin's Educational Background and Early Projects
Faggin's experimental computer, built at Olivetti, was a notable achievement, featuring a magnetic core memory and approximately 1000 logic gates for the CPU.
He then pursued his education, graduating summa cum laude with a Laurea in Physics from the University of Padua in 1965.
His thesis on Flying Spot Scanners showcased his expertise in experimental physics, and he also gained teaching experience by instructing Electronics Laboratory to 3rd-year physics students.
This combination of hands-on project experience and academic excellence laid a strong foundation for Faggin's future career in electronics and computer design.
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1969 - 1970: Developed N-channel MOS SGT and feasibility of CMOS SGT.
Faggin's Work on MOS and CMOS Technology
In 1969-1970, Faggin made significant contributions to the development of N-channel MOS (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) Silicon Gate Technology (SGT) and explored the feasibility of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) SGT.
This work was crucial in advancing semiconductor technology, enabling the creation of more efficient and powerful microprocessors.
Faggin's research and development in this area laid the groundwork for his later work on the Intel 4004, the first commercially successful microprocessor.
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Faggin's Work on MOS and CMOS Technology
In 1969-1970, Faggin made significant contributions to the development of N-channel MOS (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) Silicon Gate Technology (SGT) and explored the feasibility of CMOS (Complementary MOS) SGT.
This work was crucial in advancing semiconductor technology, enabling the creation of smaller, faster, and more efficient microelectronic devices.
Faggin's research and development in this area laid the groundwork for the design of more complex integrated circuits, including the microprocessor.
His expertise in MOS and CMOS technology would later play a key role in the development of the Intel 4004, the first commercially successful microprocessor.
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1967-1968 - SGS-Fairchild (Agrate Brianza, Italy): Core Experience in MOS Process Technology at SGS-Fairchild, now called STMicroelectronics. Federico developed the first metal-gate MOS process technology of SGS-Fairchild. He also designed SGS’ first two commercial MOS Integrated circuits.
1968 - 1970 - Fairchild Semiconductor R&D Laboratory (Palo Alto, CA):
1968: Creation of the new P-channel MOS silicon gate technology (SGT) at Fairchild Semiconductor.
See Federico’s testimonial on the development of the technology that made the microprocessor possible.
1968: Designed the Fairchild 3708, the world's first commercial integrated circuit using the SGT.
Faggin's Experience with MOS Technology
Faggin's career took a significant turn when he worked at SGS-Fairchild (now STMicroelectronics) from 1967-1968, where he developed the company's first metal-gate MOS process technology and designed their first two commercial MOS integrated circuits.
He then moved to Fairchild Semiconductor's R&D Laboratory in Palo Alto, CA, where he created the new P-channel MOS silicon gate technology (SGT) in 1968.
This technology was a crucial milestone, as it enabled the development of the microprocessor. Faggin also designed the Fairchild 3708, the world's first commercial integrated circuit using SGT.
His work on MOS technology and SGT laid the groundwork for his future achievements, including the design of the Intel 4004.
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Computers Still No Match for Human Intelligence
Quantum Computing Could Define the Future and Extend the Reach of Human Brainpower to Unimaginable Limits, but One Silicon Valley Legend Gives the Edge to Our Gray Matter
If you could ask only one person about the limits of computers past, present and future, the right person might be Federico Faggin. Forty years ago Faggin meticulously sketched the blueprint that brought to life the world's first microprocessor, which later sparked the personal computer revolution.