The development of the first LSI GaAs integrated circuits and the path to the commercial market

The history of the development of the first LSI GaAs integrated circuits is outlined, with the focus on the technological context, people, motivations, key ideas, funding, etc. This development is claimed to have galvanized an enormous upsurge in interest in GaAs ICs both at an R&D level, and in commercializing the technology. The author´s experience is followed from the GaAs planar localized implantation effort at Rockwell International to his part in the founding of GigaBit Logic with the goal of the commercial manufacture of LSI GaAs ICs for the merchant market