The San Diego Technology Archive (SDTA), an initiative of the UC San Diego Libraries, documents the history, formation, and evolution of the companies that formed the San Diego region’s high-tech cluster, beginning in 1965. The SDTA captures the vision, strategic thinking, and recollections of key technology and business founders, entrepreneurs, academics, venture capitalists, early employees, and service providers, many of whom figured prominently in the development of San Diego’s dynamic technology cluster. As these individuals articulate and comment on their contributions, innovations, and entrepreneurial trajectories, a rich living history emerges about the extraordinarily synergistic academic and commercial collaborations that distinguish the San Diego technology community.
Life Sciences
Life Sciences companies and researchers focus on innovations, product and service delivery in biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics and laboratory technologies. Integral to the innovations and developments of these companies are the area’s universities and academic research institutions.
Software/Information Technology
The Software/Information Technology sector was developed when several established companies decided to locate offices in San Diego. San Diego now includes offices of Sanyo, Sony, Hewlett-Packard and Cymer, drawn by the now-established depth of innovations and the world-class academic research programs and supporting service entities of the Region.
Telecommunications
The origins of the San Diego telecommunications industry date to the 1971 relocation of the Linkabit Corporation to San Diego from Los Angeles. Founded by Irwin Jacobs and Andrew Viterbi, Linkabit quickly became a key player in the region’s economy with over seventy-five direct or indirect spinoff companies, the best known being Qualcomm founded by Jacobs and Viterbi and five other Linkabit alumni in 1985.
