In this odyssey of expanding knowledge, we have witnessed the traces of changes, both large and small, etched into the trajectory of human existence, and how their cumulative effects have led to transformation beyond change.
From the discovery of fire to the invention of the printing press, and the laws of universal gravitation and electromagnetic induction, these moments accumulated one after another, ultimately forming today's Earth civilization.
And now we will encounter the story of a piece of silicon, tiny as a fingernail, yet containing amazingly complex structures within the blueprint of a much more sophisticated modern civilization.

--- p.5

The narrative of technology now extends beyond computers into a new era of artificial intelligence.
And on this new stage, new characters and new technologies take their place as protagonists. Advances in AI technology pose the philosophical question: where does human consciousness come from?
However, rather than addressing these high-level questions, this book will focus on identifying the key figures driving the current AI technology and related industries, as well as their relationships, to diagnose who will ultimately lead the AI ​​revolution.
Finally, I've compiled common misconceptions about semiconductors, insights from an analyst's perspective on the semiconductor industry from an economic perspective, and investment reference indicators for investors.

--- p.9

“Semiconductor Odyssey” is not a book written to make any claims or draw any conclusions.
This book is the result of a multifaceted analysis and interpretation of the flow of technological leaps that emerge when the gradual advancement of technology accumulates and crosses a threshold, from the perspective of an analyst who has analyzed the core technologies of computers and semiconductors.
In addition, I included my thoughts on the hegemonic competition surrounding semiconductors, which are emerging as a key element of geopolitics and technological hegemony.

--- p.10

In today's complexly interconnected human network, few innovations have had a more profound impact than computers and semiconductors.
The automatic playing device that seemed so obvious evolved into a calculating machine that helped with addition and subtraction, and then into modern artificial intelligence.
The unfolding panorama of technology is simply astonishing.
The technological wonders and innovative journeys that have transcended the ages are a fascinating drama about humanity's ingenuity, curiosity, and transformation.

--- p.18

Even Lovelace predicted that “analog natural phenomena will be quantified, and then it will be possible to compose music, paint pictures, and do many other things through the mechanical manipulation of numbers.”
It also showed the surprising insight that “but it would be difficult for it to truly have human-like intelligence.”
In other words, she had already imagined the advent of the AI ​​era that we are excited about in 2023 200 years ago.

--- p.41

His core idea behind the Turing machine is that a computer can simulate the process of thought, given the right set of instructions.
This means that given enough time and memory, a Turing machine could be a universal computing device capable of performing any calculation.
The concept of the Turing machine has played a crucial role in the development of algorithms, programming languages, and other fundamental concepts in computer science.

--- p.79

Von Neumann made many achievements across a wide range of disciplines and fields.
But von Neumann's most famous achievement was establishing the basic architecture of the current general-purpose computer, consisting of a CPU, memory, and program structure.
Among the Manhattan Project researchers, von Neumann, who was almost the only one who could freely go outside, published a paper titled “Introduction to the Theoretical Design of Computers” and actually designed the EDVAC, a stored-program computer with an independent structure for the CPU, memory, and program.

--- p.85

Dr. Kang Dae-won, along with Dr. Atala, received the 'Stuart Ballantine Medal' from the Franklin Institute in 1975 for his contribution to the development of the MOSFET, and in 2009, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame recognized by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Dr. Kang Dae-won, who retired from Bell Labs in 1988, continued his research in his later years as the director of a research institute established by NEC of Japan in the United States, but unfortunately passed away suddenly in 1992 at the young age of 61.
However, the two devices invented by Dr. Kang, the MOSFET and the floating gate, became important cornerstones of the modern IC revolution.
The name Kang Dae-won is remembered as another legend in the semiconductor industry.

--- p.89

The fundamental development direction of the semiconductor industry is to produce smaller transistors so that more transistors can be placed on a single chip.
This trend, known as Moore's Law, is key to enabling decades of exponential growth in computing power.

--- p.92

In the world of semiconductors, where ideas take shape and technologies evolve, the interaction between intellectual and visionary heroes and companies is truly special.
This chapter explores the stories of pioneers, innovators, and pioneers who left an indelible mark on the semiconductor landscape.

--- p.154

Apple is not officially a semiconductor company.
Semiconductor sales are also not counted.
But unofficially, it is already one of the most important semiconductor companies.
Why? According to data from market research firm Gartner, Apple will purchase a total of $67.1 billion worth of semiconductors in 2022, surpassing Samsung Electronics for the fourth consecutive year to become the world's largest semiconductor buyer.
Following Apple and Samsung Electronics are Lenovo, Dell, and BBK.

--- p.184

TSMC doesn't manufacture any of its own branded products. It's a manufacturing service provider, manufacturing products on behalf of companies like Apple, Qualcomm, Nvidia, and AMD.
Taiwan emphasizes its principle of not competing with American semiconductor companies.
Instead, it makes clear that Taiwan's path forward is to fill in their shortcomings and coexist with them. TSMC manufactures chips, ASE packages them, and Foxconn manufactures iPhones.
It's unclear how long this symbiotic relationship will last, but so far, especially since the pandemic, it's been quite successful.

--- p.222

Chairman Lee Byung-chul, who returned from the United States, immediately ordered the preparation of a plan for the semiconductor business.
And after receiving over 100 proposals seven months later, Chairman Lee Byung-chul began planning new businesses while staying at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, from the end of 1982.
Above all, we are embarking on a journey to unravel the complex equations of what strategy Japanese companies used to surpass the United States, the leading semiconductor powerhouse; what geopolitical variables will the anti-Japanese sentiment spreading within the United States due to Japan's rapid rise play in the future; and what Samsung must do to catch up with Japan.
There is a saying, 'A handshake at the end of a fight.'
But this didn't make sense to Lee Byung-chul.
After completing a long-term and specific plan for the semiconductor business, he made a phone call to his brother-in-law, Hong Jin-ki (1917-1986), chairman of JoongAng Ilbo, on February 8, 1983, and formalized Samsung's plan to enter the VLSI semiconductor business.
The 'Tokyo Declaration' is considered one of the greatest moments in 20th century Korean economic history.

--- p.269

The semiconductor industry has fueled countless innovations that have transformed the world.
But fundamentally, semiconductors are just one part of electronic components.
The semiconductor industry, as it appears, has a significantly smaller market size than industries such as automobiles or energy.
But surprisingly, many people are unaware of this fact.
It is a widely acknowledged fact that Korea is a semiconductor powerhouse.
However, when looking at the Korean semiconductor industry from the perspective of the global semiconductor industry, there are more than a few holes here and there.
The competitiveness of the Korean semiconductor industry is much weaker than is known.
Korea's semiconductor industry may be a castle built on sand.

--- p.378

M&A efforts to strengthen vertical and horizontal integration in the semiconductor industry continue.
Looking back, it seems like NVIDIA's acquisition of Mellanox, which aimed to strengthen its data center networking technology beyond semiconductors, was a stroke of genius.
In addition, M&A is also underway to expand market influence by acquiring competitors in similar fields.
Examples of horizontal expansion include Microchip's acquisitions of Atmel and Microsemi, Analog Devices' acquisitions of Linear Technology and Maxim, and Renesas' acquisition of Dialog.
This type of vertical and horizontal integration provides important insights into how the semiconductor industry is responding to the advancement of AI and its expanding application areas.

--- p.407