Intel was founded in 1968 by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore in Mountain View, California. Moore, of “Moore’s Law” fame, set the vision for exponential transistor density improvements that guided the industry for decades. Intel’s x86 processor architecture became the dominant standard for personal computers and servers.
For most of its history, Intel was synonymous with PC processors. The “Intel Inside” marketing campaign, launched in 1991, became one of the most recognizable tech branding efforts ever. Intel’s Core series (i3, i5, i7, i9) processors remain widely used in PCs and laptops.
However, Intel missed the mobile revolution — ARM-based chips from Qualcomm and Apple captured the smartphone and tablet markets entirely. More recently, Intel lost its manufacturing lead to TSMC and Samsung, and AMD’s Ryzen processors have captured significant PC and server market share.
Under CEO Pat Gelsinger (2021-2024), Intel launched an ambitious turnaround plan centered on its Intel Foundry Services (IFS) division. The idea was to become a major chip fabrication service, manufacturing chips for other companies alongside its own designs. The US CHIPS Act provided Intel with billions in subsidies for domestic fabrication plants.
However, the turnaround has been rocky. Gelsinger departed in late 2024 amid continued market share losses and manufacturing delays. Intel’s revenue has declined from a peak of $79 billion (2021) to around $54 billion (2023).
Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Intel employs over 120,000 people. Despite its challenges, Intel remains a critical player in data center processors and is investing heavily in catching up in AI chip capabilities.
