M Jack Kilby

Jack Kilby (1923–2005) was an American electrical engineer credited with inventing the integrated circuit (IC) in 1958. Working at Texas Instruments, Kilby demonstrated how electronic components could be miniaturized and integrated onto a single semiconductor chip. This transformative breakthrough enabled the mass production of microchips, significantly reducing the size, cost, and power consumption of electronic devices. Integrated circuits rapidly became essential components in computers, mobile phones, and nearly all modern electronic equipment. Kilby's invention accelerated technological innovation, directly contributing to the emergence of personal computing, consumer electronics, and global telecommunications networks. Recognizing his pivotal role, Kilby was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000. His development of the integrated circuit is considered one of the most significant milestones in the history of electronics, profoundly influencing the digital age and shaping contemporary life through ubiquitous computing technology.