In September 1963, X, an eccentric engineer arrived at a Fairchild Semiconductor interview after a few drinks and told the R&D manager their work was worthless. He was hired anyway, and his first chip sold for $300 apiece. Two years later, he resigned, writing a single line on his exit form: “I want to be RICH!”
He achieved this at his next employer, National Semiconductor, cashing out his stock at age 33 to retire to Puerto Vallarta.
Who was X?
CLUES:
In his early twenties he wrote the US Air Force's transistor training course, 457 pages across six sections, while teaching at Lowry Air Force Base.
A six-word dismissal — every idiot can count to one — was aimed at his own R&D chief, Gordon Moore, who was steering the company toward digital.
SPOILER ALERT: ANSWER BELOW
Answer: Bob Widlar
Have you seen our TIL on Bob Widlar?