However, the true transformation of the industry came from unexpected sources, driven by the rise of personal computing and the dynamic interplay between companies like Intel, AMD, Motorola, and the emergence of fabless chip companies and foundry service providers.
By 1957, Japan had ascended to the status of the largest semiconductor device producer, a position upheld until 1986.
The critics of EUV said that it was too difficult and expensive to develop, and that it would never be practical for mass production. They also said that there were other technologies, such as electron beam lithography, that could achieve the same results.
The outsourcing of manufacturing led to job losses, a decline in the manufacturing sector, and a loss of economic competitiveness. It also contributed to the growing inequality in the US, as the benefits of outsourcing went to the wealthy owners of capital, while the costs were borne by the working class.
The semiconductor cluster has had a major impact on the South Korean economy. It is responsible for over 20% of the country's exports and employs over 400,000 people.
Gordon Moore co-founded Intel in 1968 and developed Moore's Law, which predicted that the number of transistors that could be placed on a computer chip would double every year. This prediction has held true for over 50 years, and it has helped to make Intel the leading manufacturer of microprocessors.
Initially projected to sell around 241,683 units in the first five years, the IBM 5150 exceeded all expectations by selling over 3 million units in just two years.
The Indian government is now investing heavily in the semiconductor industry. However, it will take many years for India to catch up to the rest of the world. In the meantime, India will continue to rely on imports for its semiconductor needs.
As India's design prowess gained global recognition, obstacles such as the SCL's fire accident underscored the complexities of semiconductor manufacturing.
The lingering memories of foreign exploitation, coupled with a cautious approach to foreign investment, led to downfall.