The World as Garden is an anthology of the writings of David Fairchild, one of the most important figures in American agriculture and science in the first half of the 20th century, and influential in the early history of Miami. Fairchild was a plant explorer, and established and directed the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the USDA, which helped transform crop diversity, quality and yields, and to dramatically expand American agriculture. These writings, from books, articles, unpublished letters and manuscripts, are arranged to describe the chronology of events in his life, his love for plants and nature, and affection for family and friends. Strategically placed essays and bridging paragraphs help to integrate Fairchild's writings into the story of his life. The book is also illustrated with 100 black and white photographs, many published for the first time, and it ends with a comprehensive index.
The first years of the company that developed the microchip and created the model for a successful Silicon Valley start-up. In the first three and a half years of its existence, Fairchild Semiconductor developed, produced, and marketed the device that would become the fundamental building block of the digital world: the microchip. Founded in 1957 by eight former employees of the Schockley Semiconductor Laboratory, Fairchild created the model for a successful Silicon Valley start-up: intense activity with a common goal, close collaboration, and a quick path to the market (Fairchild's first device hit the market just ten months after the company's founding). Fairchild Semiconductor was one of the first companies financed by venture capital, and its success inspired the establishment of venture capital firms in the San Francisco Bay area. These firms would finance the explosive growth of Silicon Valley over the next several decades. This history of the early years of Fairchild Semiconductor examines the technological, business, and social dynamics behind its innovative products. The centerpiece of the book is a collection of documents, reproduced in facsimile, including the company's first prospectus; ideas, sketches, and plans for the company's products; and a notebook kept by cofounder Jay Last that records problems, schedules, and tasks discussed at weekly meetings. A historical overview, interpretive essays, and an introduction to semiconductor technology in the period accompany these primary documents.
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