Robert widlar biography

Bob Widlar

American electronics engineer (1937–1991)

Bob Widlar

Bob Widlar with the artwork of the LM10 in 1977

Born(1937-11-30)November 30, 1937

Cleveland, U.S.

DiedFebruary 27, 1991(1991-02-27) (aged 53)

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Other namesRobert John Widlar
OccupationElectronics engineer
Known forIntegrated circuits pioneer

Robert John Widlar (pronounced wide-lar;[1] November 30, 1937 – February 27, 1991) was an American electronics engineer and a designer of linear integrated circuits (ICs).

Early years

Widlar was born November 30, 1937, in Cleveland to parents of Czech, Irish and German ethnicity.[2] His mother, Mary Vithous, was born in Cleveland to Czech immigrants Frank Vithous (František Vitouš) and Marie Zakova (Marie Žáková).[3] His father, Walter J. Widlar, came from prominent German and Irish American families whose ancestors settled in Cleveland in the middle of the 19th century.[2] A self-taught radio engineer, Walter Widlar worked for the WGAR (1

Bob Widlar (1937-1991) is without a doubt one of the most famous hardware engineers of all time.  In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he is the person who single-handedly started the whole Analog IC Industry. Sure, it’s Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby who invented the concept of Integrated Circuits, but it’s Widlar’s genius and pragmatism that brought it to life. Though he was not first to realize the limitations of planar process and designing ICs like discrete circuits, he was the first one to provide an actual solution – µA702, the first linear IC Operational Amplifier. Combining his engineering genius, understanding of economic aspects of circuit design and awareness of medium and process limitations, he and Dave Talbert ruled the world of Analog ICs throughout the 60s and 70s. For a significant period of time, they were responsible more than 80 percent of all linear circuits made and sold in the entire world.

The list of his designs includes gems such as µA709, improvement over original µA702 and a Fairchild’s flagship product for y


 Service Photo  Service Details
Final Rank
Airman 1st Class
Last AFSC
33150-Nuclear Weapons Specialist
Last AFSC Group
Nuclear Weapons Systems
Primary Unit
1958-1961, 3424th Instructor Squadron
Service Years
1958 - 1961
Other Languages

Czech

German

Russian

Spanish


 Last Photo   Personal Details 



Home State

Ohio
Year of Birth
1937
 

This Military Service Page was created/owned by A1C James A. Widlar (Jim/V31ZF) to remember Widlar, Robert J., A1C.

If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.

 
Contact Info
Home Town
Lakewood, Ohio
Last Address
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Date of Passing
Feb 27, 1991
 
Location of Interment
Cememt

Copyright ©froughy.pages.dev 2025