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For dramatically accelerating the rate at which semiconductor-based devices and systems can be produced by developing the concept of an independant semiconductor manufacturing foundry.
"In my career, I have done best by following my interest, rather than going where the big money was supposed to be." |
Morris Chang
Morris Chang was born in Ningbo (Zhejiang province), China, on July 10, 1931. He is the founding chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (TSMC), a revolutionary enterprise he founded in 1987. TSMC is a "dedicated silicon foundry," an independent factory available to anyone for producing integrated circuits Using this approach, both entrepreneurs and established semiconductor companies could avoid having to build their own semiconductor factories and focus instead on circuit features and system-level product design as the source of value.
From 1958 to 1983, Chang worked at Texas Instruments (TI), rising to group vice president for its worldwide semiconductor business. Under Dr. Chang's leadership as group vice president in charge of semiconductors, TI emerged as the world's leading producer of integrated-circuits. During his tenure the company also pioneered high-volume production of consumer products including calculators, digital watches, and the popular 'Speak & Spell' electronic toy.
In 1983, Chang left TI to become president and chief operating officer at General Instrument Corporation. After a year at General Instrument, Chang was recruited by the Taiwanese government to spearhead that country's industrial research organization, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). While there, he focused on issues relating to using technology to advance Taiwan's larger social and economic goals. In this capacity, Chang founded TSMC in 1987.
In 2000 Chang received the IEEE Robert N. Noyce Award for "exceptional contributions to the microelectronics industry." In 1998 he was selected by Business Week magazine as one of the "Top 25 Managers of the Year" and one of the "Stars of Asia." In 2005, he won the Nikkei Asia Prize for Regional Growth.
Chang is a Life Member Emeritus of MIT Corporation, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, and serves on the advisory boards of the New York Stock Exchange, Stanford University, and the University of California at Berkeley.
Chang holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from M.I.T. (1952, 1953), and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University (1964). He also holds honorary doctorates from seven universities.