The atmosphere was electric as we welcomed Steve Wozniak, the visionary co-founder of Apple, on a tour of our leading-edge innovation center. “Woz” is a revered figure in the tech industry, having created the Apple I and Apple II computers that revolutionized personal computing.

Why It Matters

Woz’s visit to Applied Materials highlights our company’s foundational role in the semiconductor industry and underscores our materials engineering solutions and contributions to the advancement of electronics and major technology inflections such as AI.

The Big Picture

Silicon Valley has long been the epicenter of technological innovation, home to some of the world’s most influential companies and visionary innovators. It is a place where groundbreaking ideas are developed and transformed into reality, driving global progress in many areas—including the semiconductor industry. Founded nearly 60 years ago, Applied Materials “put the silicon in Silicon Valley,” and our continued growth in this area reflects the dynamic interconnectedness of the region.

What We Did

We gave Woz a tour of our Maydan Technology Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to accelerate time to market of our customers’ next-gen chips. It is the heart of Applied’s innovation engine where engineers collaborate alongside our customers to bring new semiconductor process technology to life. The MTC is both a fab and a test lab, which allows customers to test each manufacturing step under one roof.

Woz provided his insights on a range of topics – from semiconductor processes to the early days of technology here in Silicon Valley to his perspectives on photonics. The opportunity to hear from one of the greatest technical minds of our generation was an honor for all of us at Applied Materials.

In Woz’s Words

During his visit, Woz commented: “It is unbelievable the sort of engineering and the sort of know-how that goes into building this equipment that results in the products that improve our lives. Everything I’ve always talked about starts at the atomic level.”

The Spotlight