Silicon, Federico Faggin
Silicon, Federico Faggin
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Silicon
From the Invention of the Microprocessor to the New Science of Consciousness

Author: Federico Faggin

Narrator: Mark Bramhall

Unabridged: 9 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/09/2021

Synopsis

“As soon as she heard me enter, Elvia awoke from a light sleep that had overcome her as she anxiously waited: ‘How did it go?’ Excited, I exclaimed: ‘It works!’ We embraced, almost overwhelmed with feelings of euphoria and happiness, aware that something epochal had happened. On that cold January night of 1971, the world’s first microprocessor was born!”The creation of the microprocessor launched the digital age. The key technology allowing unprecedented integration, and the design of the world’s first microprocessor, the Intel 4004, were the achievement of Federico Faggin. Shrinking an entire computer onto a tiny and inexpensive piece of silicon would come to define our daily lives, imbuing myriad devices and everyday objects with computational intelligence.In Silicon, internationally recognized inventor and entrepreneur Federico Faggin chronicles his “four lives”: his formative years in war-torn Northern Italy, his pioneering work in American microelectronics, his successful career as a high-tech entrepreneur, and his more recent explorations into the mysteries of consciousness. In this heartfelt memoir, Faggin paints vivid anecdotes, steps readers through society-changing technological breakthroughs, and shares personal insights, as each of his lives propels the next.

About Federico Faggin

Federico Faggin led the development of the MOS Silicon Gate Technology at Fairchild Semiconductor—technology that was adopted worldwide. Working for Intel Corporation from 1970 to 1974, he designed the world’s first microprocessor, the Intel 4004 (1971). Faggin led many other products, including the 8008 and the 8080 microprocessors. In 1974, Faggin began an entrepreneurial career, cofounding and leading several start-up companies. He is the recipient of many international honors and awards, including the 2009 National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama.

About Mark Bramhall

Mark Bramhall has narrated all the previous Lars Kepler audiobooks, and received Audiofile's 2011 Best Voice in MYSTERY & SUSPENSE for his work on The Hypnotist. A mulit-earphones award winner, Mark has also read works by Lev Grossman, Paulo Coelho, Elie Wiesel and William S. Burroughs among others. He has been featured on Days of Our Lives, Alias, and Star Trek.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Murilo on February 18, 2025

Silicon can be seen as two completely different books, and I loved both, for very different reasons. The first book do justice to one of the less recognized pioneers of Silicon Valley. The direct responsible for the invention of the modern integrated circuit (with the idea of the use of metal masks......more

Goodreads review by Kenneth on April 16, 2021

I became interested in this book after listening to the interview of the author, Federico Faggin, by ZDoggMD on his YouTube channel. The interview was fascinating, and seemed to broadly compliment the thinking of Donald D. Hoffman in his book, The Case Against Reality, which I also have reviewed. Ho......more

Goodreads review by Rick on December 18, 2019

Il libro ripercorre la vita di Federico Faggin, vero inventore del microchip, nella sua interezza. A mio avviso la seconda parte del libro risulta troppo tecnica e difficile da comprendere per il lettore medio, incapace di capire le differenze tra le varie tecnologie del settore: in sostanza è molto......more

Goodreads review by Paolo on August 27, 2022

Interessante la vita sicuramente fuori dall’ordinario. Troppo tecnico nella prima parte, assolutamente imbarazzante nell’ultima.......more

Goodreads review by Alessandro on October 14, 2021

The story of the great journey of a Renaissance men! Federico Faggin has been one of the greatest inspirational figures for my life and career. I had a similar journey, even if on more mature era of microelectronics and at a much smaller extent. So, i really loved this book, as an engineer and as a h......more

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