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The New New Thing: The Story of Silicon Valley

Phil Foster

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In the heart of California's Santa Clara Valley, where orchards once flourished, lies a region that has come to symbolize innovation and technological progress. This is Silicon Valley, the birthplace of some of the world's most iconic companies, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Intel. But how did this unassuming valley become the global epicenter of technology? The answer lies in a unique combination of factors, including a culture of risk-taking, a highly educated workforce, and a supportive infrastructure.

The New New Thing: A Silicon Valley Story

by Michael Lewis

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	641 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	273 pages

The Early Days

The origins of Silicon Valley can be traced back to the end of World War II, when the United States government began investing heavily in research and development. This investment led to the creation of a number of research labs and universities in the area, which attracted a pool of talented scientists and engineers. In the 1950s, the invention of the transistor and the integrated circuit laid the foundation for the modern computer industry. Fairchild Semiconductor, one of the first companies to produce transistors, was founded in Silicon Valley in 1957. Intel, another semiconductor pioneer, was founded in 1968.

The development of the personal computer in the 1970s further fueled the growth of Silicon Valley. Apple Computer, founded in 1976, was one of the first companies to produce a mass-market personal computer. Microsoft, founded in 1975, developed the operating system that ran on most personal computers. These companies helped to make Silicon Valley a global center of innovation in the field of computing.

The Internet Revolution

The 1990s saw the rise of the internet, which had a profound impact on Silicon Valley. The development of the World Wide Web in 1989 made it possible for people to share information and ideas across the globe. This led to the creation of a number of new internet companies, including Netscape, Yahoo!, and Our Book Library.com. The dot-com boom of the late 1990s led to a surge of investment in Silicon Valley, further fueling its growth.

The New New Thing

In the early 2000s, the dot-com bubble burst, leading to a decline in investment in Silicon Valley. However, the region's culture of innovation remained strong. A new generation of entrepreneurs emerged, developing new technologies such as mobile computing, social media, and cloud computing. Google, Facebook, and Twitter were all founded in Silicon Valley in the early 2000s. These companies have helped to make Silicon Valley the global center of innovation once again.

The New New Thing is a sweeping history of Silicon Valley from its humble beginnings to its current status as the global center of innovation. It is a story of visionaries, mavericks, and entrepreneurs who dared to dream big and change the world. The New New Thing is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the history of Silicon Valley and the people who made it possible.