Page 3 of 3 Although Kilby probably thought of the integrated
circuit a bit before Noyce both Texas and Fairchild filed for
patents and a long legal wrangle developed between the two. One
of the key points of contention was the use of flying
interconnecting wires in the Kilby diagram - was this really a
true integrated circuit? Kilby had realised the problem while
the patent was being written and added some lines about being
able to use any method of interconnection for instance gold
tracks laid down on an insulating layer of silicon dioxide.
Where this additional idea had sprung from is unknown but it
certainly placed Kilby's chip alongside Noyce's in terms of
sophistication. The patent lawyers argued that Kilby's
postscript wouldn't work because gold wouldn't stick to silicon
dioxide and used experts to try to undermine Kilby's design. The
patent was initially awarded to Kilby, or rather to Texas
Instruments. Then the appeal judge, in 1966 roughly ten years
on, reversed the decision and awarded the patent t