Fairchild Semiconductor
A pioneering American semiconductor company whose planar manufacturing process and integrated circuits helped establish Silicon Valley and modern electronics.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Fairchild Semiconductor was an influential American semiconductor company founded in 1957 by eight engineers who left William Shockley's Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory. Backed by Sherman Fairchild's Fairchild Camera and Instrument, the new venture initially focused on silicon transistors at a time when germanium remained common in the industry. Its early success helped demonstrate that silicon could support commercially viable, high-volume semiconductor manufacturing. The company's most important technical contribution was Jean Hoerni's planar process. By protecting and fabricating transistor structures on a flat silicon surface, the process improved reliability, reduced manufacturing complexity, and created a practical foundation for producing multiple electronic components on a single wafer. Robert Noyce subsequently applied the approach to the planar integrated circuit, using deposited metal connections rather than the individual wires used in competing approaches. Fairchild's manufacturing method became central to the industry's transition from discrete transistors to integrated circuits and was widely adopted or licensed by other manufacturers. Fairchild commercialized early silicon mesa and planar transistors, logic devices, operational amplifiers, MOS circuits, and custom circuits for computers and aerospace systems. Its products were used in applications including IBM computers, the Minuteman missile guidance system, and the Apollo Guidance Computer. The company also introduced important analog products, including Bob Widlar's early operational amplifiers and David Fullagar's μA741, which became one of the most widely used integrated-circuit operational amplifiers. During the 1960s, Fairchild became one of the largest and most technically significant semiconductor businesses in the United States. It helped develop the industrial and managerial culture associated with Silicon Valley, while many former employees and executives went on to establish or lead companies such as Intel, National Semiconductor, and other technology ventures. This diaspora gave rise to the term "Fairchildren" for companies and entrepreneurs connected to Fairchild. The company nevertheless experienced strategic and organizational difficulties. Its parent company directed substantial resources toward businesses outside semiconductors, while Fairchild faced stronger competition in digital logic, particularly from Texas Instruments' transistor-transistor logic. Management disputes, limited autonomy for the California semiconductor operation, and the departure of key technical and operating leaders weakened the business. Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore left in 1968 to establish Intel, and further departures followed. Fairchild continued to develop notable technologies, including early MOS products and commercial charge-coupled devices. It also expanded manufacturing internationally and operated facilities across the United States and Asia. In 1979, Schlumberger acquired the company. Schlumberger later sold Fairchild to National Semiconductor in 1987. Fairchild was separated from National Semiconductor and returned as an independent company in 1997, operating as Fairchild Semiconductor International. The independent company continued as a supplier of power-management, analog, discrete, and semiconductor products, but it ultimately became part of a larger consolidation trend in the chip industry. ON Semiconductor announced an agreement to acquire Fairchild in 2015, and the transaction was completed in September 2016. Fairchild Semiconductor therefore no longer operates as an independent company, although its technologies, product heritage, facilities, and brand history continued within onsemi.
History
Fairchild Semiconductor emerged from a dispute at Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory in Mountain View, California. William Shockley had established the laboratory in 1955 with backing from Beckman Instruments, but eight employees became dissatisfied with his management. Julius Blank, Victor Grinich, Jean Hoerni, Eugene Kleiner, Jay Last, Gordon Moore, Robert Noyce, and Sheldon Roberts sought outside financing for an independent semiconductor venture. Sherman Fairchild agreed to support them through Fairchild Camera and Instrument, creating Fairchild Semiconductor in 1957. The new division planned to manufacture silicon transistors, an ambitious choice because germanium was still widely used. Its first marketed device, the 2N697, was a silicon mesa transistor developed under Gordon Moore's direction. Early sales to IBM and Autonetics demonstrated that Fairchild could serve demanding computer and military customers. The mesa process, however, had reliability limitations. Jean Hoerni's planar process provided the decisive improvement by allowing transistor structures to be fabricated and protected on a flat silicon surface. The method lowered costs and improved reliability, and Fairchild's 2N1613 became a notable commercial success. Robert Noyce applied the planar process to integrated circuits, creating a practical method for forming electrical connections across a silicon chip. In 1960, Fairchild demonstrated a circuit with four transistors on one silicon wafer. Although Jack Kilby had independently demonstrated an integrated circuit at Texas Instruments, Fairchild's planar approach was better suited to scalable semiconductor manufacturing and became highly influential across the industry. Fairchild subsequently developed MOS circuits, digital logic, analog devices, and custom circuits for computers and aerospace systems. Fairchild's analog work was particularly important. Robert Widlar and process engineer Dave Talbert produced the μA702 and μA709 operational amplifiers, while David Fullagar later designed the μA741. These products helped make Fairchild a leading analog integrated-circuit supplier. The company also supplied early logic for the Apollo Guidance Computer and expanded its manufacturing footprint, including a 1965 assembly plant at Shiprock, New Mexico. The plant employed many Diné workers and became a significant local industrial operation before closing in 1975. By the middle of the 1960s, Fairchild was one of the industry's leading American companies. Yet its organizational structure created growing friction. The semiconductor operation generated much of the parent company's profit, while corporate management in New York directed funds toward less successful acquisitions. Fairchild also faced competition from Texas Instruments' faster TTL logic. Earnings declined in 1967, and the company recorded its first loss since 1958. Leadership changes and dissatisfaction over corporate priorities accelerated the departure of executives and engineers. Charles Sporck left for National Semiconductor in 1967, taking other Fairchild personnel with him. Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore left in 1968 to found Intel, and other Fairchild engineers became founders or senior figures at companies later called the Fairchildren. Fairchild's own research still produced significant work, including MOS technology and early commercial CCDs, but its loss of talent weakened its competitive position. Fairchild was acquired by Schlumberger in 1979 and sold to National Semiconductor in 1987. It returned to independence in 1997 as Fairchild Semiconductor International, continuing to sell discrete, analog, power, and related semiconductor products. In the 2000s and 2010s it remained an established chip supplier but operated in a consolidated and highly competitive market. ON Semiconductor agreed to acquire Fairchild in 2015 and completed the transaction in September 2016. The Fairchild brand and product heritage were absorbed into onsemi, ending the company's independent corporate history.
- 2016
Acquired by ON Semiconductor
[1]ON Semiconductor completes its acquisition of Fairchild Semiconductor.
- 1997
Spun off as an independent company
[1]Fairchild separates from National Semiconductor and resumes independent operations.
- 1987
Sold to National Semiconductor
[1]National Semiconductor purchases Fairchild from Schlumberger.
- 1979
Acquired by Schlumberger
[1]Schlumberger acquires Fairchild Semiconductor.
- 1973
Commercial CCD production
[1]Fairchild becomes an early producer of commercial charge-coupled devices.
- 1968
μA741 operational amplifier introduced
[1]Fairchild introduces David Fullagar's μA741, which becomes a landmark general-purpose op amp.
- 1965
Shiprock plant opens
[1]Fairchild opens a semiconductor assembly operation at Shiprock, New Mexico.
- 1964
MOS products commercialized
[1]Fairchild introduces p-channel MOS devices and advances MOS integrated-circuit development.
- 1960
Early silicon integrated circuit demonstrated
[1]Fairchild builds a circuit containing four transistors on a single silicon wafer.
- 1959
Planar process developed
[1]Jean Hoerni develops the planar process, improving the manufacturability and reliability of silicon transistors.
Products and positioning
Semiconductor pioneer, process-technology innovator, and incubator of Silicon Valley engineering and entrepreneurship.
Silicon mesa transistor · 1958
2N697
Fairchild's first marketed transistor, the 2N697 was an early silicon mesa device. Its initial sales to IBM and Autonetics placed Fairchild in computer and military-guidance supply chains and provided an important commercial validation of the company's silicon manufacturing strategy.
Planar transistor
2N1613
The 2N1613 represented the commercial significance of Jean Hoerni's planar process. Its improved reliability and manufacturability helped establish planar transistor fabrication as a superior approach and made the design important enough to be licensed throughout the semiconductor industry.
Operational amplifiers · 1964
μA702 and μA709
Designed by Bob Widlar with process support from Dave Talbert, these early Fairchild operational amplifiers helped create the modern monolithic analog IC market. They demonstrated that complex analog functions could be delivered as standardized integrated circuits rather than assembled from discrete components.
Operational amplifier · 1968
μA741
Designed by David Fullagar and introduced in 1968, the μA741 became one of the best-known general-purpose integrated-circuit op amps. Its broad adoption made it a reference point for analog design and a lasting symbol of Fairchild's influence in analog semiconductors.
Integrated circuits · 1960
Fairchild planar integrated circuits
Fairchild's planar IC technology integrated multiple transistors and passive elements on a silicon wafer and connected them through deposited metal. This manufacturing model was more scalable than individually wired approaches and became a foundation for commercial integrated-circuit production.
Image-sensing semiconductor devices · 1973
Charge-coupled devices
Fairchild was an early commercial producer of charge-coupled devices. CCD development extended the company's research and product activity beyond logic and analog circuits into image sensing and electronic imaging applications.
Brand decisions
2015
Agree to acquisition by ON SemiconductorM&ABackground
The independent Fairchild business operated in a semiconductor market characterized by consolidation and intense competition.
Action taken
Fairchild agreed to be acquired by ON Semiconductor.
Aftermath
The transaction closed in September 2016, ending Fairchild's independent corporate existence.
1979
Sell the company to SchlumbergerM&ABackground
Fairchild's ownership and competitive position had become part of broader consolidation in the semiconductor sector.
Action taken
Schlumberger acquired Fairchild Semiconductor.
Aftermath
Fairchild operated under Schlumberger until its sale to National Semiconductor in 1987.
1967
Restructure after earnings declineStrategyBackground
Fairchild faced falling earnings, excess capacity, competition from TTL suppliers, and conflict over the parent company's allocation of resources.
Action taken
The board ordered the disposal of unprofitable ventures and changed senior leadership.
Aftermath
The disruption intensified management departures and contributed to the later creation of Intel and other Fairchildren.
Reported loss and write-offs. (1967)
1960
Commercialize planar integrated-circuit manufacturingProduct launchBackground
The planar process offered a scalable alternative to individually wired integrated circuits and improved the reliability of silicon devices.
Action taken
Fairchild used Hoerni's planar process and Noyce's metal-interconnection approach to fabricate silicon integrated circuits.
Aftermath
The approach became one of the principal manufacturing foundations of the integrated-circuit industry.
1957
Adopt silicon transistor manufacturingStrategyBackground
Germanium was still common in semiconductor production, but Fairchild's founders believed silicon offered better long-term economic and technical potential.
Action taken
The company organized its early manufacturing around silicon transistors and pursued process improvements suitable for volume production.
Aftermath
The decision positioned Fairchild at the center of the industry's shift toward silicon electronics.
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