Jack Kilby, the inventor of the integrated circuit, died on Monday at age 81 after a brief battle with Cancer. His invention, the integrated circuit, was first demonstrated on Sept. 12, 1958. The invention made the creation of computers, the space program, the Internet and everyday items such as digital watches possible.

“Humankind eventually would have solved the matter, but I had the fortunate experience of being the first person with the right idea and the right resources at the right time in history.” Said Kilby upon accepting his Nobel prize in 2000.

Kilby has won dozens of awards, including the coveted Nobel Prize in 2000 and the National Medal of Technology in 1990. He has also continued to inspire major players in technology.

“Few people can say they really changed the world. Kilby would be one of them,” said Gordon Eubanks, CEO of the techology company Oblix.

Source: Texas Instruments / Jack Kilby