On January 4th, news of the passing of Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, left a wave of sadness across the tech industry. The 94-year-old left a legacy of philanthropic impact that will continue to be felt in the years to come.
Early Years
Moore was born in California in 1929 and was always destined for a career in technology. He studied chemistry and physics, eventually graduating with a PhD in Chemistry from Caltech.
In 1968, Moore and Robert Noyce founded Intel, which would become the cornerstone of the modern-day tech industry. Intel created the first microprocessor and Moore’s vision of an integrated circuit driving the future of technology was a game-changer.
Moore’s contributions were far-reaching and he was responsible for a number of important technological breakthroughs, including the development of VLSI (very large-scale integration) chips and the development of the industry’s first single-chip microcomputer. Moore’s imprint on the tech industry cannot be overstated.
Philanthropic Impact
Moore was renowned not just for his contributions to the tech industry, but also for his philanthropy. He was a generous supporter of the University of California at San Francisco and the Caltech, in addition to numerous other causes.
In fact, Moore and his wife, Betty, created the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation in 2000, a philanthropic organization that focuses on environmental conservation, science, and patient care. Through the foundation, Moore donated more than $6 billion to various causes.
In addition to the foundation, Moore also supported causes close to his heart. He was a major proponent of the exploration of the solar system and a big supporter of the SETI Institute, which researches the possibilities of life outside of Earth.
Continuing the Work
Although the tech industry has lost a great visionary, the legacy of Moore lives on through the organizations he and his wife supported. These organizations will continue to do the work he set out to do and his vision still informs technological advances today.
The biggest way to honor Moore is to share his story and follow in his footsteps. Take a look at the causes he supported and consider it a call to action to do the same. Share this article to commemorate the life and legacy of Gordon Moore and encourage others to follow his example of philanthropy.