Pioneering DRAM Chip Inventor Bob Dennard Passes Away at 91

Bob Dennard, the brilliant mind behind the invention of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), has passed away at the age of 91, according to IBM Research. Dennard's contributions to the field of computing have fundamentally reshaped the landscape of modern technology.

Legacy of Innovation

Robert “Bob” Dennard joined IBM in 1958, at a time when the state of the art for random access memory (RAM) was solid core, a bulky and inefficient technology. Driven by a vision for something better, Dennard, along with his colleagues at IBM Research, developed DRAM in 1966. This innovation not only shrunk memory storage but also significantly boosted its capacity. The invention of DRAM is considered a pivotal moment in computing history, as it enabled the creation of more compact and powerful electronic devices.

Memorial Gathering

Dennard's passing on April 23 was marked by a memorial gathering at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, New York on June 7. The event was a celebration of Dennard’s life and achievements, attended by his family members and prominent IBM figures, including Senior Vice President and Director of Research Darío Gil and former Research director John Kelly.

“Without DRAM, there is no modern semiconductor, and the world looks a lot different — a lot slower, a lot less connected,” Gil stated at the memorial. He emphasized the ubiquity of DRAM chips, which power billions of smartphones, computers, and consumer electronic devices worldwide.

A Humble Visionary

Beyond his technical contributions, Dennard was known for his humility and mentorship. He valued the recognition and relationships he built with his peers as much as his professional accolades. In a 1978 interview, Dennard remarked that the enthusiasm and recognition from his colleagues were as significant to him as the awards he received for his groundbreaking work.

“He laid the genetic code for what we consider the DNA of today’s IBM researcher,” Gil added. “He was brilliant, restless, and passionate.”

Early Life and Career

Born in 1932 in Terrell, Texas, Dennard's early education was in a one-room schoolhouse. Despite his interest in outdoor activities, a guidance counselor steered him towards electrical engineering. He earned his B.S. and M.S. from Southern Methodist University and a doctorate from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon) in 1958, the same year he joined IBM Research.

Inventive Spirit

Dennard's path to inventing DRAM was marked by persistence and creativity. Faced with the limitations of solid core memory and inspired by the simplicity of a rival team's thin-film magnetic memory, Dennard conceptualized a simpler memory storage method using a capacitor. Within hours, he had developed the basic ideas for DRAM, leading to a patent award for IBM and Dennard within a year. By the 1970s, DRAM had become the standard memory solution for home and office computers.

Enduring Impact

Dennard's influence extended beyond hardware. His theory of scaling, which predicted that as transistors became smaller and more numerous, the power used in a given area would remain constant, provided a roadmap for the development of increasingly sophisticated transistors. This theory, known as Dennard scaling, complemented Moore's Law and has been fundamental in guiding semiconductor advancements.

Reflecting his optimistic outlook, Dennard was known to say, “Yes, there is an end to scaling. But there is no end to creativity.”

Bob Dennard's legacy is etched into the very fabric of modern computing, and his contributions will continue to influence the field for generations to come.

For additional information, please visit the IBM Research.