ON Semiconductor
Through acquisitions and strong internal development, ON Semi has achieved leadership in multiple markets and technologies that have driven its growth, including automotive, industrial and cloud power. In 2021, in order to better reflect its broad technology portfolio, differentiated product lines and market leadership, ON Semiconductor changed its name to ON Semi. While there is a new look and feel, the companys roots are as old as the foundation. In 1999, Motorola spun off its standard products semiconductor business into an independent company called ON Semiconductor. Motorola has always been a pioneer in transistors, especially in commercial applications. In fact, a Motorola transponder transmitted the first words from the moon to Earth in July 1969. Motorola also pioneered the automotive electronics industry, from the first mobile radios in police cars in the 1940s to electronic controls and semiconductors in cars in the 1970s. However, Motorola was not the only industry pioneer to provide the foundation for modern onsemi. Acquired Fairchild Semiconductor and became a top semiconductor manufacturer. Founded in 1957, Fairchild made transistors out of silicon instead of the more common germanium. It also pioneered the planar process, which made transistors easier and cheaper to make with higher performance and reliability. This planar process led Fairchild to develop the first commercially viable integrated circuit in 1960, which became the basis for many of the innovations we enjoy today.