Jean Hoerni

  

Jean Hoerni

       Jean Hoerni  was born on September 26th 1924 in Geneva, Switzerland. later in 1946 he received his B.S degree in mathematics  and his Ph.D in Physics in 1950 from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. In 1952 he received a secound Ph.D in Physics in England, then came to the United States as a Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Chemistry at the California Institute of Thecnology in Pasedena, California 1952-1956.
       Jean Hoerni invent the planar process, but he also promoted its advantages and use. The planar transistor provided the reliability required for use in large systems and it’s first large scale application was in military systems, and its reliability was proven in tests for Minuteman. With this development came a further increase in reliability and the reduction for cost components for computers. The stable insulator also made MOS devices practical.
       But Hoerni’s life did not revolve around only the research lab he also is a A fanatically dedicated mountain climber, he scaled most of the world’s highest peaks, made a partial ascent of Mount Everest and spent countless weekends in the Sierras.
      On one of Hoerni’s later trecks he became devoted to the Karakoram Mountains in northern Pakistan. and to the Balti moutain  people who lived without medical care or education. Together with Greg Mortenson of Bozeman, Montana and  Mr. Hoerni donated $12,000 to build the region’s first school. So that the Balti people would continue to be served after his death, Mr. Hoerni created a foundation called the Central Asia Institute with a $1 million endowment.
      Later in January 12th 1997 Jean Hoerni died at age 72.