The Intel Trinity : How Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and Andy Grove Built the World's Most Important Company

Based on unprecedented access to the corporation’s archives, The Intel Trinity is the first full history of Intel Corporation—the essential company of the digital age— told through the lives of the three most important figures in the company’s history: Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and Andy Grove. Often hailed the “most important company in the world,” Intel remains, more than four decades after its inception, a defining company of the global digital economy. The legendary inventors of the microprocessor-the single most important product in the modern world-Intel today builds the tiny “engines” that power almost every intelligent electronic device on the planet. But the true story of Intel is the human story of the trio of geniuses behind it. Michael S. Malone reveals how each brought different things to Intel, and at different times. Noyce, the most respected high tech figure of his generation, brought credibility (and money) to the company’s founding; Moore made Intel the world’s technological leader; and Grove, has relentlessly driven the company to ever-higher levels of success and competitiveness. Without any one of these figures, Intel would never have achieved its historic success; with them, Intel made possible the personal computer, Internet, telecommunications, and the personal electronics revolutions. The Intel Trinity is not just the story of Intel’s legendary past; it also offers an analysis of the formidable challenges that lie ahead as the company struggles to maintain its dominance, its culture, and its legacy. With eight pages of black-and-white photos. Contents......Page 3 Introduction: Artifacts......Page 6 Part I: The Fairchildren (1957–1968)......Page 15 1. The Traitorous Eight......Page 16 2. The Greatest Company That Never Was......Page 24 3. Digital Diaspora......Page 41 Part II: Start-Up (1968–1971)......Page 49 4. The Ambivalent Recruit......Page 50 5. Intelligent Electronics......Page 60 6. Robert Noyce: The Preacher’s Son......Page 68 7. The Demon of Grinnell......Page 75 8. The Pig Thief......Page 83 9. A Man on the Move......Page 92 10. Gordon Moore: Dr. Precision......Page 100 11. A Singular Start-Up......Page 116 12. The Wild West......Page 123 13. Bittersweet Memories......Page 130 Part III: The Spirit of the Age (1972–1987)......Page 137 14. Miracle in Miniature......Page 138 15. The Inventor......Page 151 16. A Sliver of History......Page 156 17. Dealing Down......Page 159 18. The Philosopher’s Chip......Page 164 19. Product of the Century......Page 175 Part IV: The Most Important Company in the World (1988–1999)......Page 185 20. Crush......Page 186 21. Silicon Valley Aristocracy......Page 203 22. Public Affairs......Page 208 23. Consumer Fantasies......Page 219 24. A Thousand Fathers......Page 225 25. The Knights of Moore’s Law......Page 241 26. (Over) Ambitions......Page 248 27. Beatification......Page 258 28. The Heart of Andrew Grove......Page 269 29. Mother and Child......Page 272 30. Father and Child Reunion......Page 286 31. Andy in Exile......Page 290 32. Freedom Fighter......Page 302 33. A New Life, a New Name......Page 304 34. Bylined......Page 318 35. Riding a Rocket......Page 321 36. For the Cause......Page 331 37. East of Eden......Page 336 38. Turn at the Tiller......Page 340 39. Eminence......Page 346 40. Crash......Page 349 41. Memory Loss......Page 359 42. Andy Agonistes......Page 364 43. Mentoring a Legend......Page 369 44. The Man of the Hour......Page 372 45. Juggernaut......Page 375 46. Empyrean......Page 378 47. The Swimmer......Page 382 Part V: The Price of Success (2000–2014)......Page 385 48. Family Matters......Page 386 49. Inside Intel Inside......Page 388 50. Wired World......Page 394 51. Pentium......Page 399 52. The Bug of All Bugs......Page 404 53. The Endless Lawsuit......Page 414 54. Mea Culpa......Page 419 55. Bunny Hop......Page 423 56. Running the Asylum......Page 428 Part VI: Aftermath......Page 432 57. The Full Weight of the Law......Page 433 Epilogue: Roaring at the Night......Page 447 Appendix: A Tutorial on Technology......Page 456 A Note on Sources......Page 464 Notes......Page 467 Index......Page 482 Photographic Insert......Page 526 About the Author......Page 538 Also by Michael S. Malone......Page 539 Credits......Page 540 Copyright......Page 541 About the Publisher......Page 542 "The definitive history of the Intel Corporation--the essential company of the digital age--told through the lives of its three preeminent figures: Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and Andy Grove. Intel has often been hailed as the most important company in the world, and with good reason: While technology companies come and go, Intel remains, more than four decades after its inception, a defining company of the global digital economy. The legendary inventor of the microprocessor--the single most significant product in the modern world--Intel today builds the tiny "engines" that power almost every intelligent electronic device on the planet. But the true story of Intel is the human story of the three geniuses behind it. In The Intel Trinity, Michael S. Malone takes an unflinching look at the strengths and weaknesses each member of the trio has brought to Intel, and how, without the perfect balance, the company would never have reached its current level of success. Robert Noyce, the most respected high-tech figure of his generation, brought credibility (and money) to the company's founding; Gordon Moore made Intel the world's technological leader; and Andy Grove relentlessly drove the company to ever-higher levels of success and competitiveness. Without any one of these figures, Intel would never have achieved its historic success; with them, Intel made possible the personal computer, the Internet, telecommunications, and the personal electronics revolution. Based on unprecedented access to corporate archives, The Intel Trinity reveals the fascinating stories behind the company's ubiquitous products and the unique business practices--including a willingness to commit to new ideas, an initiative to make bold investments in lean times, and a devotion to upholding Gordon Moore's namesake law--that led Intel to consistent success unheard of elsewhere in the tech world. The Intel Trinity is not just the story of Intel's legendary past; it is also an analysis of the formidable challenges that lie ahead as the company struggles to maintain its dominance, its culture, and its legacy"--Jacket The definitive history of the Intel Corporation?the essential company of the digital age?told through the lives of its three preeminent figures: Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and Andy Grove Intel has often been hailed as the most important company in the world, and with good reason: While technology companies come and go, Intel remains, more than four decades after its inception, a defining company of the global digital economy. The legendary inventor of the microprocessor?the single most significant product in the modern world?Intel today builds the tiny "engines" that power almost every intelligent electronic device on the planet. But the true story of Intel is the human story of the three geniuses behind it. In The Intel Trinity, Michael S. Malone takes an unflinching look at the strengths and weaknesses each member of the trio has brought to Intel, and how, without the perfect balance, the company would never have reached its current level of success. Robert Noyce, the most respected high- tech figure of his generation, brought credibility (and money) to the company's founding; Gordon Moore made Intel the world's technological leader; and Andy Grove relentlessly drove the company to ever-higher levels of success and competitiveness. Without any one of these figures, Intel would never have achieved its historic success; with them, Intel made possible the personal computer, the Internet, telecommunications, and the personal electronics revolution. Based on unprecedented access to corporate archives, The Intel Trinity reveals the fascinating stories behind the company's ubiquitous products and the unique business practices?including a willingness to commit to new ideas, an initiative to make bold investments in lean times, and a devotion to upholding Gordon Moore's namesake law?that led Intel to consistent success unheard of elsewhere in the tech world. The Intel Trinity is not just the story of Intel's legendary past; it is also an analysis of the formidable challenges that lie ahead as the company struggles to maintain its dominance, its culture, and its legacy Based On Unprecedented Access To The Corporation's Archives, The Intel Trinity Is The First Full History Of Intel Corporation--the Essential Company Of The Digital Age--told Through The Lives Of The Three Most Important Figures In The Company's History: Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, And Andy Grove. Introduction: Artifacts -- Part 1: Fairchildren (1957-1968): -- Traitorous Eight -- Greatest Company That Never Was -- Digital Diaspora -- Part 2: Start-up (1968-1971): -- Ambivalent Recruit -- Intelligent Electronics -- Robert Noyce: Preacher's Son -- Demon Of Grinnell -- Pig Thief -- Man On The Move -- Gordon Moore: Dr Precision -- Singular Start-up -- Wild West -- Bittersweet Memories -- Part 3: Spirit Of The Age (1972-1987): -- Miracle In Miniature -- Inventor -- Sliver Of History -- Dealing Down -- Philosopher's Chip -- Product Of The Century -- Part 4: Most Important Company In The World (1988-1999): -- Crush -- Silicon Valley Aristocracy -- Public Affairs -- Consumer Fantasies -- Thousand Fathers -- Knights Of Moore's Law -- Over Ambitions -- Beatification -- Heart Of Andrew Grove -- Mother And Child -- Father And Child Reunion -- Andy In Exile -- Freedom Fighter -- New Life, A New Name -- Bylined -- Riding A Rocket -- For The Cause -- East Of Eden -- Turn At The Tiller -- Eminence -- Crash -- Memory Loss -- Andy Agonistes -- Mentoring A Legend -- Man Of The Hour -- Juggernaut -- Empyrean -- Swimmer -- Part 5: Price Of Success (2000-2014): -- Family Matters -- Inside Intel Inside -- Wired World -- Pentium -- Bug Of All Bugs -- Endless Lawsuit -- Mea Culpa -- Bunny Hop -- Running The Asylum -- Part 6: Aftermath: -- Full Weight Of The Law -- Epilogue: Roaring At The Night -- Appendix: Tutorial On Technology -- Note On Sources -- Notes -- Index. Michael S. Malone. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 512-524) And Index.