Silicon Valley

The most successful high-tech companies of the world gathered under San Francisco, California, in a place called the Silicon Valley. Here is Stanford University, here began his research pioneer in electronics Lee de Forest, which attracted many scientists of the world.

Now in the Valley there are about eight hundred thousand people. It has become literally home to hundreds of key American corporations specializing in the development of modern information and electronic technologies. In development, an average of ten billion dollars is invested monthly. New ideas arise constantly, new projects (called start-ups) are emerging, into which venture capital flows . So once started Google and Apple, who designed their first projects literally in garages.

The name "Silicon (or Silicon) Valley" appeared due to the production of electronic equipment and semiconductors established here. For the first time this term was used by journalist D. Hofler in 1971. Technopark approved the idea, after which the word became the official name.

In Russia, the term "Silicon Valley" is often used, because in the correct translation "silicon" means "silicon". The word "silicone" is consonant with "silicone", which is why it began to be used to designate the Technopark. Despite the formal correctness of the first option, the latter term is even, perhaps, more common.

Silicon Valley has no administrative boundaries (not marked on maps). There are also no clear landmarks indicating its territory. This is almost the entire economic zone from San Francisco to San Jose. The Valley Center is Stanford University, which leases out its vast territories.

The purpose of leasing long-term lease, which Leland Stanford stipulated in his will, was to create a high-tech center, which would include enterprises close to cooperation with the university. Thus, in 1946, the Stanford Research Institute began to form, which was necessary to support the economy of the region.

In 1951, an office park, called the Stanford Industrial Park, began to be built. It was the first object entirely aimed at technology. The first IT company Silicon Valley accepted was Hewlett-Packard. To attract talented young scientists, various programs have begun to provide them with financial support.

Today, the Silicon Valley is the largest high-tech center in the United States, and according to some sources, the entire world. The offices of the largest and most influential companies that produce electronics and software are located here. About three hundred thousand specialists are involved in the work.

The US Silicon Valley is not the only project of its kind. This phrase is today a common name, denoting a zone of high technologies. In other countries of the world, in particular, in Russia, work is also under way to create an analogue of the Valley (Skolkovo).