00: Showing the Flag

Fairchild becomes the David to Texas Instruments’ Goliath, as integrated circuits take the semiconductor stage.

In this episode, a young engineer named Jack Kilby causes a stir by invents the first integrated circuit, and the team at Fairchild springs into action to keep pace with industry leader Texas Instruments.

Also, in this episode, Fairchild Camera & Instrument exercises its option to buy out the eight Fairchild Semiconductor founders.  Overnight, the eight young men become wealthier than they’ve ever dreamed.

They may not have started Fairchild Semiconductor to become rich, but it changes their lives.  And it changes the company.