Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. was a pioneering American semiconductor company that played a crucial role in the development and advancement of the semiconductor industry. Founded in 1957 by the "traitorous eight" who defected from Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory, the company was instrumental in creating some of the most important innovations in 20th-century electronics technology.
Fairchild Semiconductor was established in 1957 by a group of engineers including Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and Jean Hoerni, among others. These founders, known as the "traitorous eight," left William Shockley's company to start Fairchild. The company quickly became a leader in the manufacturing of transistors and integrated circuits. In 1961, Fairchild introduced its first integrated circuit (IC), a digital logic function comprising four transistors and five resistors.
Over the years, Fairchild experienced significant growth and innovation. By the mid-1960s, it had become one of the largest and most profitable semiconductor manufacturers in the United States. However, the company faced challenges and changes in ownership, including being bought by Schlumberger in 1979 and then by National Semiconductor in 1987. Fairchild re-emerged as an independent company in 1997 through a management-led leveraged buyout and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1999. In September 2016, Fairchild was acquired by ON Semiconductor.
Fairchild Semiconductor specialized in high-performance power and mobile semiconductor solutions. The company's product portfolio included:
Fairchild Semiconductor was a leading global supplier of high-performance power products for electronic applications. The company's products were used in various industries, including computing, communications, consumer electronics, industrial, and automotive. Fairchild's technology was utilized by all major mobile device manufacturers, and its products were found in the majority of mobile handsets, including smartphones.
Fairchild's product catalog included a wide range of semiconductor products such as:
| Application Field | Products/Solutions | Features and Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Electronics | Power MOSFETs, IGBTs | High efficiency, reliability under extreme conditions, support for electric and hybrid vehicle systems |
| Consumer Electronics | Voltage Regulators, LED Drivers | Energy efficiency, compact design, enhancement of device battery life |
| Industrial Automation | Gate Drivers, Standard Logic Devices | Robust durability, operational under diverse environmental conditions, optimized for industrial control systems |
| Computing | Analog and Mixed-Signal ICs | High-speed data processing, improved connectivity, and power management |
Fairchild's products were used by major companies across various industries, including:
Fairchild Semiconductor has a rich history of spawning numerous other semiconductor companies, often referred to as the "Fairchildren." Some notable companies that trace their roots to Fairchild include:
As Fairchild Semiconductor is no longer an independent company, it does not maintain separate social media profiles. However, its parent company, ON Semiconductor, has active social media presence:
At the time of its independence, Fairchild Semiconductor's headquarters was located at:
Since Fairchild Semiconductor was acquired by ON Semiconductor in 2016, its official website is no longer active. However, information about Fairchild's products and legacy can be found on the ON Semiconductor website:
