Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- Correspondence, writings, and assorted materials from the career of American engineer Jay T. Last covering the establishment of Fairchild Semiconductor, the creation of the microelectronics industry, and the early years of Silicon Valley.
- Extent:
- 17 Linear Feet (26 manuscript boxes, 1 carton, 3 half-boxes, 6 flat-boxes)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], Jay T. Last papers (M2846). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection contains materials from Jay T. Last, one of the "traitorous eight" who quit Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory in 1957 to establish Fairchild Semiconductor. In addition to materials from Last's time at Shockley and Fairchild, there is an assortment of articles, papers, and memorabilia about the history of the semiconductor industry and the lasting impact of Fairchild Semiconductor and its founders in the establishment of Silicon Valley. Materials about Last's career after leaving Fairchild cover the creation of Amelco Semiconductor and his work at Teledyne Industries. Some biographical material and electronics are also included.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Jay T. Last (1929-2021) was an American engineer active in the early days of Silicon Valley. He completed a BS in optics at the University of Rochester in 1951 before completing a PhD in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Following his graduation in 1956, he was recruited by William Shockley to join the Shockley Semiconductor Laboratories. One year later, he left to establish the Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation as part of the "traitorous eight" defection along with Julius Blank, Victor Grinich, Jean Hoerni, Eugene Kleiner, Gordon Moore, Robert Noyce, and C. Sheldon Roberts. While at Fairchild, Last was the Head of Integrated Circuit Development and worked to develop the first commercial silicon planar transistors. Last also led the Research & Development group at Fairchild that produced the first integrated circuit chips. In 1961, Last established Amelco Semiconductor, a division of Teledyne, Inc. Along with Jean Hoerni, Amelco developed and manufactured complex integrated circuit chips. During the 1970s, Last became Teledyne's vice president for technology. After leaving Teledyne, Last pursued interests in California art, lithography, African art, and founded the Archaeological Conservancy. Last's personal lithography collections went to the Huntington Library and his collection of African art was donated to the Fowler Museum at UCLA.
- Acquisition information:
- This collection was given by the Jay T. Last Revocable Trust to Stanford University, Special Collections in May 2022.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is arranged into seven series:
- 1. Shockley Semiconductor
- 2. Fairchild Semiconductor
- 3. Impact and Legacy of Fairchild Semiconductor
- 4. Amelco Semiconductor
- 5. Teledyne
- 6. Semiconductor and Microelectronics Industry History
- 7. Personal and Biographical Materials
- 8. Electronics and Realia
- Physical location:
- Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36 hours in advance.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use
- Terms of access:
-
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], Jay T. Last papers (M2846). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Department of Special Collections, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6004, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022