Roy Proebstel

Roy Proebstel was an American electrical engineer, best known for his contributions to the development of integrated circuit technology, specifically the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and its scaling principles. He worked at Fairchild Semiconductor and later at Intel Corporation.

Proebstel joined Fairchild in the early 1960s, where he played a key role in the advancement of MOSFET technology. His work focused on improving the performance and reliability of MOSFETs, making them viable for use in integrated circuits.

Later, at Intel, Proebstel continued his work on MOSFET technology, contributing to the development of denser and faster microprocessors. He is particularly known for formulating “Proebstel's Law,” which observed that microprocessor performance (measured as clock speed) doubled approximately every three years during the 1970s. While not as widely recognized as Moore's Law, Proebstel's Law provided a valuable observation about the rapid pace of innovation in the early days of microprocessors. His insights helped to guide the development of new generations of microprocessors and solidified Intel's position as a leader in the semiconductor industry. Proebstel held various positions at Intel, including roles in engineering and management. His contributions helped shape the trajectory of the company's technological advancements.