Google doodle celebrates 'mayor of Silicon Valley'

Robert Noyce, the man often referred to as the "Mayor of Silicon Valley", has been honoured today with a Google doodle marking what would have been his 84th birthday.

Noyce, known as Bob, was one of the early pioneers of the famous belt in California which is now home to numerous technology firms, including Google, Apple and Facebook.

Alongside Nobel Prize winner Jack Kilby, Noyce is credited with the invention of the integrated circuit, which accelerated digital technology and gave the region its name: Silicon Valley.

In 1986, the electronics engineer founded Intel with Gordon Moore, developing technology that paved the way for microprocessors used to power modern computers and devices.

Intel was originally to be called Moore-Noyce, but the duo felt that was too close to "more noise", and so opted for different branding.

Noyce, who died in 1990 of heart failure at the age of 62, also co-founded Fairchild Semiconductor in 1957 and later set up the Noyce Foundation, which works to improve the teaching of maths and science in American schools.

He is honoured today with a Google doodle of a chip featuring the search engine giant's name imprinted on the circuit board.

In early October, Google also marked the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, with the search page bearing the simple tribute: "Steve Jobs, 1955 - 2011."

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