Intel's Quest for Gordon Moore's Original Electronics Magazine Article
In the world of computing, few names carry as much weight as Gordon Moore. However, even the architects of the digital age can lose track of their own history. In 2005, Intel embarked on a unique mission to recover a physical piece of technological heritage: the original publication of Moore's seminal article in Electronics Magazine.
The search was prompted by a simple misfortune; Moore had lost his own personal copy of the magazine after loaning it to someone else. Recognizing the historical significance of the document, Intel decided to turn the recovery effort into a public campaign.
The $10,000 Scavenger Hunt
On April 11, 2005, Intel announced a US$10,000 reward for anyone who could provide a pristine, original copy of the specific Electronics Magazine issue. To cast the widest possible net, Intel partnered with their Silicon Valley neighbor, eBay, to post a notice on the auction site.
An Intel spokesman expressed hope that the reward would spark a "scavenger hunt" among the engineering community, imagining that a copy might be tucked away in a garage or a storage box somewhere in the region. The company viewed the magazine not just as a collectible, but as an essential piece of history.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Library Alerts and Security Concerns
The announcement of the reward sent a ripple of anxiety through academic institutions. Librarians quickly realized that their archival copies were potential targets for theft. In response, several institutions, including Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, took immediate steps to locate and secure their copies of the magazine.
Not every institution was as fortunate. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reported that one of their two copies went missing the day after Intel's announcement. To discourage such thefts, Intel clarified that they would only purchase library copies directly from the libraries themselves. They noted that since most libraries bind their old magazines into hardback volumes, any stolen page would show evidence of being cut from a bound book, making it easy to identify.
The Unexpected Discovery
Despite the focus on Silicon Valley and American universities, the solution came from across the Atlantic. The reward was ultimately awarded to David Clark, an engineer residing in Surrey, England. Clark had spent decades storing old issues of Electronics Magazine beneath his floorboards, unknowingly preserving the piece of history Intel had been seeking.
Key Facts
- Reward Amount: US$10,000.
- Announcement Date: April 11, 2005.
- Target Item: An original, pristine copy of the Electronics Magazine featuring Moore's article.
- Partner Platform: eBay was used to spread the word.
- The Winner: David Clark, an engineer from Surrey, England.
- Security Incident: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign lost one of two copies following the announcement.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Initiator | Intel |
| Reason for Search | Gordon Moore lost his personal copy after loaning it. |
| Reward Value | $10,000 USD |
| Outcome | Found in the floorboards of an engineer in England. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Intel offer a reward for the magazine?
Intel wanted to recover an original copy of the Electronics Magazine where Gordon Moore's article was first published because Moore had lost his own copy after loaning it out.
How did Intel try to prevent the theft of library copies?
Intel stated they would only buy library copies directly from the institutions. They also pointed out that because libraries typically bind magazines, stolen pages would be easily identifiable as having been cut from a book.
Which universities secured their copies during the hunt?
Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill were among the libraries that located and secured their copies to prevent theft.
Who eventually found the original copy?
The prize was awarded to David Clark, an engineer from Surrey, England, who had old issues of the magazine stored under his floorboards.
Did any libraries lose their copies during the process?
Yes, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign discovered that one of their two copies was missing the day after the reward was announced.