Federico Faggin

(1988) Synaptics, Inc., USA

"Cited for his pioneering contributions to the implementation of the microprocessor, a principal building block of modern telecommunications"

Presented by: The Honorable Francesco Cossiga, President of the Republic of Italy at the Campidoglio, Rome

Federico Faggin, Chief Executive Officer of Foveon, was co-founder and CEO of ZiLOG Inc., Cygnet Technologies, Inc., and Synaptics, Inc.

Mr. Faggin is credited with developing the Self Aligned MOS Silicon Gate Technology, which enabled the creation of semiconductor memories and microprocessors. Building on this invention, he designed and co-invented the world's first microprocessor, the Intel 4004, as well as many follow-on microprocessors.

He is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the 1988 International Marconi Fellowship Award, the 1994 IEEE W. Wallace-McDonald Award and the 1997 Kyoto Prize.

Bibliographies

National Inventors Hall of Fame

Newton profile (in Italian)

IEEE Virtual Museum