(National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA, www.national.com) A major semiconductor manufacturer that provides system-level products for telecommunications, desktop computers, automobiles, consumer products and the military.

Founded in 1959 in Danbury, CT, National Semiconductor was in the forefront of the first transistors and integrated circuits. Over the years, it has become known for its analog and mixed mode signaling devices. In 1987, it acquired Fairchild Semiconductor, which it sold in 1997, the same year it purchased and integrated Cyrix Corporation.