I joined Teletype in 1973, at a time when the popular Model 40 product line had been introduced. However, Teletype custom designed semiconductor parts were in very short supply, and the TTY silicon manufacturing process was in trouble. This is the story of how we rose to the situation, fixed the problems, and continued our development of superb semiconductor technology targeted at Teletype product needs. Team Teletype, a family-style company-wide phenomenon, could be proud of their collective achievements. It is a bit of a shame that we were dissolved in our finer hours, by forces well beyond our control. It was not for want of commitment or ability that Teletype sank from sight. They were a fine group! This is my remembrance of the era.
I joined Bell Labs in 1961, wanting to prove that I could compete and contribute to the progress of silicon semiconductor technology, in the midst of an amazing group of giants. After some meandering about, I was successful in a small way. Among other things, I invented alcoholic alkaline anisotropic etches for forming isolation slots, electrochemically controlled thinning for forming very thin silicon structures, and applied them to making high speed bipolar integrated circuits. My group and I were drafted into a massive technology development program to help develop a very advanced double level tungsten gate MOS memory technology. My group and I made significant contributionsd to the project before I left to join the Teletype Corporation in Skokie Illinois. I left some small footprints on the sands of time while at Bell Labs, but wanted to find a new venue for my efforts.
I was born into a family with southern roots. My family moved often, making it difficult for me to fit in. I learned about science, was a pretty good worker and a fair athlete. Our family values helped me to thrive and to strive for knowledge. I mined coal, wrangled calves, milked a cow, made gunpowder, built rockets, firecrackers, and cannons, and became a fair electronic technician.
This is the story of my four years of high school, starting with two years at Rockville as a Panther, and the second two years as a Bulldog at Appleton City, Missouri. They were fun, productive years. I was a bright student with limited athletic abilities, but competed with some success in both basketball and football. During summers and on weekends, I worked at my Father's sawmill, helping at the mill, logging in the timber, and later on, driving log trucks or delivering lumber to customers. I bought a 1928 Model T touring car, painted it bright red, and used it to attract and transport girls. My academic record was not excellent, but I did win a small Curator's Award to the University of Missouri, where in 1954 I would attend college, majoring in Physics. The training that I received from my family, my mentors, and my high school experience would serve me well throughout my life. This story celebrates those years.
I entered Missouri University in 1954 to major in Physics. When I entered, I was a little undereducated, and had to work my way through school, but by the second year, I had reached parity with my peers from St. Louis and other larger schools. I was awarded scholarships by the Physics Department in each of my next three years, and joined delta sigma phi fraternity in my junior year to provide some rounding out. In my senior year, I flamed out, and academically crashed and burned. My marriage in 1958 worked well, and I once more achieved excellence at San Diego State College. I joined the Navy Electronics Lab in 1959 and received a Masters in Physics in 1960. While in San Diego, we had three bright, healthy children, and in 1961 I accepted a job at AT&T Bell Labs, Murray Hill NJ to work in semiconductor technology.
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