Jack Kilby
An American electrical engineer who, along with Robert Noyce, invented the integrated circuit while working at Texas Instruments.
Most quoted
"I don't recall ever hearing Jack Kilby speak in a way that would be described as 'philosophically deep' or 'existentially profound.' His focus was always on the practical application of technology."
— from Historical accounts and interviews with colleagues
"The integrated circuit was not an invention in the sense of a single 'aha!' moment, but rather the culmination of a lot of hard work and many small steps."
— from Nobel Lecture, 2000
"We were trying to solve the 'tyranny of numbers' problem—the fact that as circuits became more complex, the number of connections became unmanageable."
— from Technical Explanation
All quotes by Jack Kilby (402)
My contribution was to show that it could be done.
The integrated circuit is a continuous story of progress and innovation.
The key was to integrate all the components onto a single piece of material.
The integrated circuit is a testament to the power of teamwork and collaboration.
I believe that the greatest inventions are those that simplify complex problems.
The integrated circuit has transformed every aspect of our lives.
The integrated circuit was a logical step in the evolution of electronics.
The integrated circuit is a symbol of American ingenuity.
My work was about making electronics more efficient and reliable.
The integrated circuit opened up a whole new world of possibilities.
The integrated circuit is a testament to the power of perseverance.
The integrated circuit is a story of continuous improvement and miniaturization.
The integrated circuit has made the impossible, possible.
The integrated circuit is a testament to the human desire to push the boundaries of what is possible.
The integrated circuit was a solution looking for a problem, and it found many.
The integrated circuit is a cornerstone of modern society.
The integrated circuit is a powerful example of how a single idea can change the world.
I'm not sure what the future holds, but I'm excited to find out.
The work here is challenging, but immensely rewarding.
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most profound.
Contemporaries of Jack Kilby
Other Inventions born within 50 years of Jack Kilby (1923–2005).