Historical timeline check: Was the first integrated circuit (IC) invented in 1959, or does the primary invention date trace to 1958?
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AThe statement “invented in 1959” is inaccurate; 1958 is the key demonstration year (with 1959 an important follow-on for planar ICs).
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BThe statement is perfectly accurate; the first IC invention is strictly 1959.
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CBoth years are wrong; ICs were first invented after 1965.
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DUndetermined — the year cannot be associated with any milestone.
Answer
Correct Answer: The statement “invented in 1959” is inaccurate; 1958 is the key demonstration year (with 1959 an important follow-on for planar ICs).
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Understanding the origins of integrated circuits helps contextualize semiconductor manufacturing evolution. Two milestones are often cited: Jack Kilby’s initial working IC demonstration and Robert Noyce’s planar monolithic approach.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Historical dates: 1958 (Kilby’s demonstration at Texas Instruments) and 1959 (Noyce’s planar IC concept at Fairchild).
- Question asks whether “1959” alone correctly states the invention date.
Concept / Approach:History distinguishes “first working IC” from “manufacturable planar IC.” Kilby built a functional integrated circuit using germanium in 1958, widely regarded as the invention of the IC. Noyce’s 1959 work introduced planar technology with silicon and on-chip interconnection, enabling practical mass production. Thus, saying “invented in 1959” omits the earlier invention and is incomplete or inaccurate.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the invention: Kilby’s working IC demonstrated in 1958.Identify the manufacturing breakthrough: Noyce’s planar process in 1959.Evaluate the statement: “invented in 1959” fails to credit the 1958 invention.Verification / Alternative check:Historical timelines, Nobel recognitions, and company histories consistently cite 1958 as the invention year for the first working IC, with 1959 as a pivotal step toward practical IC fabrication.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Option b ignores the 1958 milestone.
- Option c contradicts well-documented history.
- Option d claims indeterminacy despite well-established dates.
Common Pitfalls:Conflating invention with commercialization; both dates matter, but the initial invention occurred in 1958.
Final Answer:The claim “invented in 1959” is inaccurate as a standalone statement; 1958 marks the first IC demonstration.