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Remembering Jack Kilby's gift to the world
(05/12)
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The bronze sculpture in Jack Kilby Square in Great Bend, Kan., shows Jack handing his microchip to a boy near a girl who points to the stars and prepares to receive a microchip so she can share it with the world.
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With his invention of the first integrated circuit, TI engineer Jack Kilby laid the foundation for the entire field of modern microelectronics. And recently, his hometown of Great Bend, Kan., gave back with an entire day devoted to his legacy. Festivities included a military flyover, remarks from visiting dignitaries, and the unveiling of a bronze sculpture of Jack titled "The Gift."
"Jack was a hero, long unsung, but finally recognized for his unique contribution that impacted the world," said Trisha Cunningham, TI's Chief Citizenship Officer who spoke during the unveiling.
In addition to this well-known invention, which earned him the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2000, Jack also invented the first computer using integrated circuits, the first handheld electronic calculator, and the thermal printer, she told the hometown crowd.
"His remarkable career is a testament to the power of the individual who, given the necessary education, support and resources, can change the world," she said.
Tireless efforts
Led by local lawyer Glenn Opie, a seven-member committee worked off and on for nearly 10 years to raise funds to erect a Kilby memorial on the west side of the Barton County Courthouse square in downtown Great Bend.
The group secured the necessary funding in fall 2010, and completed construction of the plaza and its lighting about a year ago. Local artist Chet Cale finished sculpting "The Gift" last spring, and Art Castings of Loveland, Colo., cast the sculpture in bronze late last year.
"It's pride that we should all have, knowing Jack Kilby grew up here in Great Bend," Opie states on the Jack Kilby Memorial website.
"Think of the incalculable, beneficial heritage he left to all, while retaining incredible humility, character, faith, decency and work ethic. He stood true to our pioneer history that those values count."
Jack Kilby Day
The day started with an aerial salute over Jack Kilby Square and a presentation at the town historical society by a local resident whose grandfather shared ham radio adventures with Jack. Later in the day, townspeople viewed military vehicles on display along the square in honor of Jack's World War II military service in Burma.
The unveiling ceremony included remarks by the mayor of Great Bend, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, Cunningham and Jack's daughter, Janet.
Two authors, Ed Millis, a TI retiree and longtime friend of Jack's, and T.R. Reid, a former Washington Post reporter, also shared insights from their books about Great Bend's native son.
The sculpture shows Jack handing his microchip to a boy near a girl who points to the stars and prepares to receive a microchip so she can share it with the world.
Although Jack's gift was the microchip, Cale sought through the sculpture to inspire future generations to maximize their potential. His written interpretation of the sculpture is etched in bronze on plaques on the memorial.
Life lessons Jack taught us
During her remarks at the unveiling, Cunningham told the audience about five life lessons Jack left behind:
- First and foremost, value education.
- Be humble about your achievements.
- Work hard. (Success is not just about having good ideas, but proving them.
- Make products affordable so everyone benefits.
- Take life as it comes, not getting too worked up about the highs or the lows.
Cunningham shared the famous story about Jack that on the morning he learned that he had received the Nobel Prize, he walked out into his front yard to get the newspaper only to be met by reporters eager to talk with him about this honor. He went back into his house. When asked later what the first thing he did after finding out, he said, "I made coffee."
"It gives us all faith that if you value education, stay humble, work hard, care about others and stay strong in the midst of change, you can make a real difference in the world," Cunningham said.
"This celebration brings the well-deserved recognition for a giant of a man in his own hometown. We celebrate his achievements and the lessons he left behind."
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