The Tinkerings of Robert Noyce by Tom Wolfe (1983)

I read this article the last time it was on HN. I found it an absolute joy to read.

This piece provides an excellent introduction to Silicon Valley's origins. Despite living in the area for sometime, I learned so much about the history of Silicon Valley, how Noyce and his colleagues at Shockley, then Fairchild, and finally Intel established both the technical foundation and cultural ethos of the Valley.

The venture capital aspects were particularly interesting - seeing how Arthur Rock helped the "traitorous eight" secure funding from Fairchild. I think the Fairchild employees were essentially the original "PayPal Mafia" - spinning off to create over fifty semiconductor companies (according to Wolfe) and spreading both technical knowledge and management philosophy throughout the region.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in Silicon Valley history, semiconductor development, or American business culture. Wolfe turns what could be dry technical history into a compelling story about innovation, ambition, and the cultural forces behind a technological revolution.