50 Years of Moore’s Law: Looking back, Looking forward

Fifty years ago Gordon Moore extrapolated a few data points to make a bold
prediction that set the pace for the modern digital revolution.  His
observation -- that the number of transistors in an integrated circuit
doubled approximately every year -- was summarized into a simple
principle: Moore’s Law. Following Moore’s law, the exponential progress in
the microelectronics world has been an amazing driver for modern
technology, transforming computing from a rare and expensive curiosity
into a pervasive and affordable necessity. Empowered by cheap and powerful
computing, new technologies are fundamentally changing the way we work,
play and communicate.  

Moore’s law, though not a law of physics, has amazingly sustained itself
over the past 50 years (and seven orders of magnitude!)  thanks to key
innovations in novel materials, device physics and design, and fabrication
technologies. However, as the aggressive scaling of transistors approaches
fundamental limits, many interesting questions emerge.  As the focus
changes from increased computational power to energy-efficient computing
it is time to reflect on what lies ahead.