Chip War

Morris Chang is the founder and long-time chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s leading semiconductor foundry. Established in 1987, TSMC revolutionized the semiconductor industry by pioneering the pure-play foundry model, which separates chip design from manufacturing. This innovation allowed companies without fabrication capabilities to design advanced chips, fostering a new era of innovation and competition. Under Chang’s leadership, TSMC has grown into a global powerhouse, essential to the supply chains of major technology firms like Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm.

In Chip War, Chris Miller highlights Chang’s strategic foresight and leadership as pivotal in shaping the global semiconductor landscape. Chang’s ability to navigate complex geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and China, underscores the delicate balance of technology, economics, and national security. His role exemplifies how visionary leadership can drive industry-wide transformations, making TSMC a critical player in the global tech ecosystem. Chang’s influence extends beyond business, positioning him as a key figure in the narrative of technological supremacy and geopolitical power struggles depicted in the book.

Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel Corporation, is renowned for formulating Moore’s Law—the observation that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles approximately every two years, exponentially increasing computing power.