M Robert Dennard

Robert Dennard (born 1932) is an American electrical engineer celebrated for inventing dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) in 1968. DRAM stores each bit of information within an individual capacitor, offering higher storage density and cost-effectiveness compared to earlier memory technologies. Dennard’s innovation significantly advanced computer memory systems, becoming foundational to personal computers, servers, smartphones, and countless other electronic devices. Additionally, Dennard formulated the scaling theory, known as Dennard scaling, which explained how reducing transistor size proportionally improves performance and power efficiency. This principle profoundly influenced semiconductor manufacturing, enabling decades of microelectronics advancement. Dennard’s contributions facilitated rapid technology growth, making compact, high-performance computing affordable and accessible globally. His pioneering work in semiconductor memory and transistor scaling fundamentally shaped modern computing infrastructure, laying the groundwork for today's digital revolution.