TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) is the world's first dedicated semiconductor foundry, founded in 1987 by Morris Chang. It has become the leading chip manufacturer, pioneering advanced nodes from 0.35µm to 3nm, expanding globally with fabs in Taiwan, the US, Japan, and Germany.
Morris Chang resigns from Texas Instruments and accepts an invitation from the Taiwan government to lead a semiconductor initiative. #history #semiconductors
Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) forms a semiconductor project headed by Morris Chang, laying the groundwork for TSMC. #history #semiconductors
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is officially established as the world's first dedicated semiconductor foundry, with Morris Chang as CEO. #history #semiconductors
Construction of TSMC's first fabrication plant (Fab 1) begins in Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan. #manufacturing
TSMC's Fab 1 begins production using 6-inch wafers, marking the company's first manufacturing output. #manufacturing
TSMC turns profitable for the first time since its founding, validating the pure-play foundry business model. #finance
TSMC goes public on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2330), raising capital for expansion. #finance #ipo
TSMC's second 6-inch wafer fab (Fab 2) starts operations in Hsinchu, doubling capacity. #manufacturing
TSMC launches its 0.35-micron logic process, its first advanced node. #technology #semiconductors
TSMC lists American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (TSM), attracting international investors. #finance #ipo
TSMC's first 8-inch wafer fab (Fab 3) begins production in Hsinchu, enhancing capacity for larger wafers. #manufacturing
TSMC introduces 0.18-micron process, a key node for many integrated circuits. #technology
TSMC acquires WSMC, its main domestic rival, consolidating its position as the leading foundry. #acquisition
TSMC launches 0.13-micron process with copper interconnects, improving performance and reducing power. #technology
TSMC starts development of 90nm process technology, pushing the limits of Moore's Law. #technology
TSMC begins volume production of 90nm chips, becoming the first foundry to do so. #technology
TSMC is the first dedicated foundry to mass-produce 90nm chips, serving customers like Nvidia and AMD. #technology
Morris Chang steps down as CEO but remains Chairman; Rick Tsai becomes the new CEO. #leadership
TSMC launches 65nm process technology, another node shrunk. #technology
TSMC ships its first 65nm products to customers. #technology
TSMC launches 45nm process technology, competing with Intel. #technology
Amid the global financial crisis, Morris Chang returns as CEO to stabilize the company and refocus on innovation. #leadership #crisis
TSMC announces its 28nm process with high-k metal gate (HKMG), a major innovation. #technology
TSMC starts volume production of 28nm chips, a highly successful node used for years. #technology
TSMC overtakes GlobalFoundries and UMC to become the world's largest semiconductor foundry by revenue. #business
TSMC launches 20nm process, a stepping stone to FinFET. #technology
TSMC announces 16nm FinFET process, its first fully depleted planar transistor technology for mobile and high-performance chips. #technology
TSMC begins shipping 16nm chips for Apple's A9 processor, winning a major order over Samsung. #technology #business
TSMC starts development of 10nm process technology. #technology
TSMC begins volume production of 10nm chips, used in Apple A11 and other devices. #technology
TSMC starts 7nm volume production; Morris Chang retires, Mark Liu becomes Chairman, C.C. Wei becomes CEO. #technology #leadership
TSMC initiates risk production of 5nm process, preparing for mass production. #technology
TSMC starts 5nm volume production; announces $12 billion investment for a 5nm fab in Arizona, USA. #technology #expansion
TSMC announces a $7 billion joint venture fab in Kumamoto, Japan, its first in Japan. #expansion
TSMC begins volume production of 3nm chips, the most advanced node at the time, used in Apple A17 and M3. #technology
TSMC announces second phase of Arizona investment, totaling $40 billion, to produce 3nm chips. #expansion
TSMC announces €10 billion investment for a specialty fab in Dresden, Germany, its first in Europe. #expansion
TSMC becomes one of the world's most valuable semiconductor companies, valued at over $500 billion. #finance
TSMC starts development of 2nm process, planning for production in 2025. #technology