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What
Others are Saying
A
Legacy of Innovation
Kilby Center Dedication
September 9, 1997
Dallas, Texas
Pat Weber Vice Chairman
Texas Instruments
I would like to welcome you today, as we celebrate the genius of
one man and the legacy of innovation that he helped create. Innovation
of major benefit to society.
We
are here to celebrate and commemorate a proud past. We are here
in anticipation of a bright future.
The
first order of business is to introduce some distinguished guests
we have with us this morning. I would like to ask each of these
people to stand as they are being introduced.
I'll
start first with the man for whom this day is all about, the inventor
of the integrated circuit, Jack St. Clair Kilby. We'll hear much
more about Jack and his accomplishments in just a few moments.
I
would also like to introduce the members of Jack's family who are
with us today. First, we have his sister, Jane Kilby. Jane told
me once that Jack got all the height in the family so he could play
basketball and then he became an inventor. Jane is a talented, lovely
and gracious lady who stands tall in our hearts.
We
also have Jack's two very proud daughters and their families. First
we have Ann Maxon with her husband, Ron, and their children Erica
and Katrina. Next we have Janet Cameron and her husband, Thomas,
and their children Gwen, Caitlen (KATE LAN) and Marcie.
I
also would like to say a brief word about the late Barbara Kilby,
Jack's beloved wife. As Jack received recognition for his work,
no one was more excited for him than Barbara. She always had a special
glow when her husband was recognized for his many achievements.
I know she is smiling down at us today.
It's
fitting that in a day we celebrate the spirit of invention that
we have some of TI's greatest inventors here to honor Jack. Many
of you may know that in addition to the invention of the integrated
circuit, Jack was part of a three-man team that created the world's
first electronic hand-held calculator 30 years ago. I now would
like to introduce the other two co-inventors — James Van Tassel
and Jerry Merryman.
An
important means for recognizing our outstanding innovation is through
the TI Fellows program. This program provides individuals with recognition
and opportunity for outstanding technical contributions to the success
of TI.
TI
Fellows are the best and the brightest. Achieving Fellow status
is no simple task. Fellows must have clearly demonstrated sustained,
wide-ranging and crucial contributions to TI programs and be recognized
as leading experts in their fields. We have a number of TI Fellows
with us today.
It
gives me a tremendous personal pleasure to be part of today's ceremonies.
I came to TI just a few years after Jack invented the integrated
circuit and consider myself lucky to know him. Jack still lives
here in Dallas and to be able to call him a friend is something
I treasure.
The
invention of the integrated circuit was one of the most historic
innovations in the 20th Century and it happened just a few hundred
yards from where we are meeting today. Jack's pioneering achievements
in the semiconductor industry serve as the foundation for the entire
electronics industry — an industry that is a trillion dollar
industry today.
Jack's
accomplishments don't end with the invention of the integrated circuit.
He has more than 60 patents to his credit and he pioneered military,
industrial, consumer and commercial applications of microchip technology.
When
Jack made his breakthrough with the integrated circuit in 1958,
the industry reaction wasn't exactly overwhelming. The military
showed some interest and the first computer using silicon chips
and some missile components were produced. But it wasn't until nine
years later when Jack, Van Tassel and Merryman invented the first
electronic hand-held calculator that the integrated circuit first
achieved commercial success. From calculators and wrist watches
to cell phones and personal computers, the growth of the electronics
industry now goes at the speed of light.
It
would take most of the day to list Jack's accomplishments, awards
and honors. He has received almost every honor that could be given
to scientists and engineers.
He's
received from the President of the United States both the National
Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology. He, along
with other great inventors such as Thomas Edison and the Wright
Brothers, is a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
His
awards know no boundaries, as significant international recognition
also has come his way. This includes the prestigious Kyoto Prize
— the Japanese version of the Nobel Prize — which was
presented to Jack by the Emperor of Japan in 1993, recognizing Jack's
achievements in the invention of the integrated circuit.
He
is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
and a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
Jack
is a quiet man but when he does speak, the room falls silent. He
always has something important to say. Some refer to Jack as the
humble giant. And Jack truly is a giant among men.
Today,
we add one more honor to Jack's list. We are here to dedicate the
most advanced research and development center for silicon manufacturing
in the world, the Kilby Center.
This
is the first and only building in the 67-year history of Texas Instruments
to be named in honor of any individual. In the list of many great
people who have helped make TI what it is today, Jack stands apart.
Jack, thank you for all that you have done for TI and the electronics
industry. The Chip that Jack built has truly changed the world,
and the best is yet to come.
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