- early 20th century, angel investments, tech development, new management practices, where innovation happens today ...
The SF Bay Area is the world-renown hub of technological innovation and explosive economic growth called Silicon Valley. How and why did that engine of progress happen here, and not somewhere else? When did it really begin? Why does it continue?

The story goes back to local Hams (amateur radio operators) trying to break RCA's tube patents, early Stanford engineers, the sinking of the Titanic, early "angel" investments, Fred Terman and Stanford University, local invention of high-power tubes, WW II and radar, new approaches to running companies, and the SF Bay Area infrastructure that developed -- these factors pretty much determined that the semiconductor and IC industries would be located in the Santa Clara Valley, and it would become the model for innovation worldwide.

Paul Wesling, an IEEE Life Fellow and Distinguished Lecturer, has observed the Valley for decades as an engineer, executive, resident, and educator. He will give an exciting and colorful history of device technology development and innovation that began in Palo Alto with some Stanford grads, grew in the '20's and '30's, and spread across the Santa Clara Valley during and following World War II. You'll meet some of the colorful characters -- Cyril Elwell, Lee DeForest, Bill Eitel, Charles Litton, Fred Terman, David Packard, Bill Hewlett and others -- who set leadership patterns for the worldwide electronics industries through their inventions and process development. This explosion of innovation continued through analog design, to digital, then to software, biotech, mobile, Big Data, virtual reality, and now AI and autonomous transportation. He'll end by telling us about some current local organizations and movements that keep alive this spirit of the radio Hams and the Homebrew Computer Club -- Maker Faire, MeetUps, and the other entrepreneurial groups where geeks gather to start new companies that invent the future.

Endorsed by the Stanford Peninsula Club; Los Gatos/Saratoga AAUW; IEEE Computer Society Chapter.

Come for pre-talk reception (arrive between 6:45-7:15) with hearty appetizers and wine/punch; lecture at 7:30 PM. Please register yourself and your guest(s) by April 26, so we can plan accordingly.

-- "Excellent speaker!! Great grasp of materials and breadth of his knowledge." "This was one of the best speakers we have heard in a long time. He covered the "Silicon Valley" lecture with a perfect timeline and lots of good details." (Stanford Historical Society attendees)

FAQs

What are driving/parking directions for getting to the event?

Take Fwy 85 and exit at Saratoga Avenue, heading south; either park in the upper parking lot; or turn right on Seagraves Way and park in the lower parking lot.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

For further information, contact Paul Wesling, p.wesling@ieee.org