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Last (Jay T.) papers
M2846
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Jay Last papers
Identifier/Call Number: M2846
Physical Description:
17 Linear Feet
(26 manuscript boxes, 1 carton, 3 half-boxes, 6
flat-boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1950-2020
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.
Physical Location: Special Collections and University
Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36 hours in advance.
Language of Material:
English .
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of
intended use
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was given by the Jay T. Last Revocable Trust to Stanford University,
Special Collections in May 2022.
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
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.
[identification of item], Jay T. Last papers (M2846). Dept. of Special Collections and
University Archives, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Stanford University also holds the papers of William Shockley (SC0222), Jean Hoerni
(M2847), Gordon Moore (M1965), and Robert Noyce (M1490). Jay Last's lithography collections
are located at the Huntington Library in Southern California.
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.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Semiconductor industry -- Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clara County,
Calif.) -- History -- 20th century