Intel Co-Founder and Creator of Moore's Law Gordon Moore Dies at 94

Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, passed away peacefully at his Hawaii home on Friday night surrounded by his family at the age of 94. Along with his long-time friend and colleague Robert Noyce, Moore established Intel in 1968. Initially serving as executive vice president, he was later promoted to president in 1975 and ultimately became Intel's second CEO, serving as chairman until 1987, when he handed over the reins to Andy Grove. In 1997, he became chairman emeritus before stepping down in 2006.

"Gordon Moore defined the technology industry through his insight and vision. He was instrumental in revealing the power of transistors and inspired technologists and entrepreneurs across the decades. At Intel, we remain inspired by Moore's Law and intend to pursue it until the periodic table is exhausted. Gordon's vision lives on as our true north as we use the power of technology to improve the lives of every person on Earth. My career and much of my life took shape within the possibilities fuelled by Gordon's leadership at the helm of Intel, and I am humbled by the honour and responsibility to carry his legacy forward," said Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, who joined Intel when Moore was still CEO.

"Gordon was a brilliant scientist and one of America's leading entrepreneurs and business leaders. It is impossible to imagine the world we live in today, with computing so essential to our lives, without the contributions of Gordon Moore. He will always be an inspiration to our Intel family, and his thinking lies at the core of our innovation culture," added Frank D Yeary, the chairman of Intel's board of directors.

Moore is best known for Moore's Law, which he predicted in 1965, just before founding Intel. He predicted that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit would double every year. This prediction has held true for more than 50 years and has become the basis of modern-day computing and the semiconductor industry.

Although some say Moore's Law is coming to an end, it is currently holding steady, aside from the occasional stutter, mostly due to Intel's issues in manufacturing.

Moore was born on January 3, 1929 in San Francisco. He was educated at San Jose State University and also attended the University of California at Berkeley and the California Institute of Technology, where he was awarded a PhD in chemistry.

With Robert Noyce, Moore also founded Fairchild Semiconductor, which produced the first diffused silicon transistors and the world's first commercially viable integrated circuits. The two worked under William Shockley, the co-inventor of the transistor at Shockley Semiconductor.

Moore also set up the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which he devoted most of his time to after retiring from Intel in 2006. His wife, Betty Moore, of 72 years lives on, and together, they have donated more than $5.1 billion as a part of the foundation they established in 2000.

"RIP Gordon Moore. His vision inspired so many of us to pursue technology and was an inspiration to me. Thoughts with his family and everyone at Intel," tweeted Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai.

Apple CEO Tim Cook also paid tribute, tweeting, "The world lost a giant in Gordon Moore, who was one of Silicon Valley's founding fathers and a true visionary who helped pave the way for the technological revolution. All of us who followed owe him a debt of gratitude. May he rest in peace."

Moore is survived by his wife and two sons Kenneth and Steven and four grandchildren.