Immigrating to U.S. at age 18 in 1949, Morris Chang enrolls at Harvard University. One year later Morris transfers to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There he earns bachelorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s and masterÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s degrees, but he fails subsequent doctorate entrance exam. He then seeks industrial position. He turns down job with Ford in 1955. Instead he joins Sylvania Semiconductor, where he develops germanium transistors with improved yields. After three years, Chang moves to up-and-coming Texas Instruments (TI).
At TI, Chang works on the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œfour-transistor projectÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ early semiconductor foundry relationship. In this project, IBM outsources integrated circuit manufacture to TI. Chang champions controversial idea of semiconductor pricing ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œahead of the cost curve.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ It sacrifices early short-term profits for gain in market share. It requires high manufacturing yields to allow greater profits over long-term timeline.
During 25-year career at TI, Chang rises through ranks, becoming vice president for TIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s worldwide semiconductor. In late 1970s, TI focuses on calculators, digital watches and home computers. This effectively dead-ends ChangÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s career in semiconductors at TI. At age 52, Chang takes helm at General Instrument Corporation (GIC) for a year.
Upon leaving GIC, Taiwanese government recruits him at much-reduced salary. Chang becomes head of Taiwanese-sponsored nonprofit responsible for industrial and technological development. He leverages economic and technological experience, creating Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
Morris Chang under challenging conditions shepherds TSMC into worldÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s largest dedicated semiconductor foundry. It manufactures chips for Apple, Intel, Nvidia and other companies. Fourth quarter of 2024, TSMC controls 67.1% of global pure-play foundry market. Furthermore, TSMC has 90% market share of advanced chip manufacturing which includes 3-nanometer scale.
In a way, TSMC achieves too much. China covets TSMC capabilities. Desire for TaiwanÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s takeover revolves around acquiring TSMC. Yet, it wouldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t even exist without U.S. higher education and TIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s investment in employee career development.
