Tech Valley is deeply rooted in invention and innovation, from steam-powered boats to electronic communications to the latest in computer chip technology. Here is just a brief list of notable Tech Valley accomplishments:
1609
Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain become Tech Valley's first two explorers. Hudson – employed by the Dutch – sails northward from Manhattan on the river that now bears his name. de Champlain explores northeastern New York for France.
1807
Robert Fulton’s vessel, "Clermont,” the first steam-powered boat, successfully travels the Hudson River from New York City to Albany.
1825
The first US factory to make axes from cast steel is established by Daniel Simmons.
The Erie Canal opens.
1826
America’s first railroad runs between Albany and Schenectady.
1829
Joseph Henry pioneers the telegraph and electric motor.
1832
The Egberts and Bailey Mill is the first building in America built for the manufacture of knit goods by power.
1865
The first steel plant in the United States producing Bessmer steel is built in Troy.
1879
An improved refrigerator design is patented by Thomas Elkins.
1887
Thomas Edison relocates his manufacturing business, Edison Machine Works, to Schenectady.
1892
Edison’s plant becomes the headquarters for General Electric, beginning GE's significant presence in the region that continues today.
1913
Tungsten filament light bulb is patented.
1916
Radio tuning device and X-ray tube is patented.
Incandescent electric lamp is invented.
1920
The first radio broadcast originates from Union College in Schenectady.
1928
Television is demonstrated publicly for the first time.
1932
The Winter Olympic Games come to Lake Placid, establishing the Tech Valley village as the "Winter Sports Capital of the World."
1938
Non-reflective glass is patented.
1946
The first intravenous catheter specifically for the heart is developed by Norman Jeckel and Dr. Andre Cournand at C.R. Bard. Dr. Cournand wins the Nobel Prize in medicine for his work.
1954
First arterial prosthesis for replacement of diseased arteries is developed with Dr. Michael DeBakey.
1958
First bipolar temporary pacing catheter for interim treatment of heart blockage is produced.
1960
First latex balloon catheters are produced.
1980
The world returns to Lake Placid for the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, which includes the "Miracle on Ice" hockey victory by the US over the USSR.
1984
First patent ductus arteriousis device for treatment of congenital heart defects is produced.
2001
The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University at Albany is established at the state-of-the-art Albany NanoTech complex. In five years, CNSE is recognized as the world's number one college for nanotechnology and microtechnology.
New York state and IBM launch the Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology (CENN) at the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.
2002
IBM opens a $2.5 billion computer chip plant in Tech Valley.
International SEMATECH calls Tech Valley home at a $405 million facility at Albany NanoTech.
Tokyo Electron establishes the $300 million Technology Center America at the CENN.
2004
CNSE awards the world's first Ph.D. degrees in nanoscience.
2005
ASML locates a $400 million research and development center, called International Multiphase Partnership for Lithography Science and Engineering (IMPLSE), at the CENN to develop nanoscale lithography technologies for future generations of nanochips.
$500 million Center for Semiconductor Research (CSR) at CNSE announced.
$500 million International Venture for Nanolithography (INVENT) initiative at the CENN announced.
Applied Materials establishes a $300 million research center at the CENN.
2006
$435 million Institute for Nanoelectronics Discovery and Exploration (INDEX) at the CENN announded.
CNSE is ranked the nation's number one college for nanotechnology according to the annual University Rankings released by Small Times magazine.
AMD announces plans to build $3.2 billion chip fab in Tech Valley.
Rensselaer, IBM and New York state partner to create the world’s most powerful university-based supercomputing center, and a top 10 supercomputing center of any kind in the world.
2007
Less than six months after taking delivery of the world's first full-field extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography research and development tool from ASML, CNSE announces that it produced the world's first exposed images while using the tool in a development environment.
Technologists at SEMATECH's Mask Blank Development Center successfully detect and clean 10 nm particles from mask blanks for use in EUV lithography – pushing the technology another significant step toward readiness for advanced manufacturing.
International SEMATECH agrees to a major expansion of its presence in Tech Valley.
Small Times magazine ranks CNSE as the world's number one college for nanotechnology and microtechnology in its annual University Rankings. For the first time, the survey included colleges and universities from across the globe, rather than just in the U.S.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and IBM launch one of the world’s most powerful university-based supercomputing centers.
GE Healthcare announces plans for a $135 million plant that will manufacture state-of-the art digital X-ray mammography machines.
The Solar Energy Consortium – a public-private partnership – is announced. TSEC aims to be a major player in the rapidly growing solar energy research and development industry.
Ralph Alpher – who worked in the research and development at GE Global Research and taught physics at Union College – is awarded the National Medial of Science. Alpher coauthored a paper in 1948 that became the foundation for the Big Bang theory to explain the origin of the universe.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers develop a new, paper-thin energy storage device. The nanoengineered battery is lightweight, ultra thin, completely flexible, and geared toward meeting the trickiest design and energy requirements of tomorrow’s gadgets, implantable medical equipment, and transportation vehicles.
Tech Valley High School opens its door to its initial freshmen class marking the beginning of an innovative, public education program and the continuation of an unprecedented partnership between education, business and government.
2008
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers create the darkest material ever made by man. The material, a thin coating comprised of low-density arrays of loosely vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes, absorbs more than 99.9 percent of light and one day could be used to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of solar energy conversion, infrared sensors and other devices.
IBM assembles, tests and benchmarks the world's fastest supercomputer at its Poughkeepsie plant in Tech Valley. The machine will be used by the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.
IBM announces $1.5 billion investment in region that will create up to 1,000 new high-tech jobs; expand its operations at CNSE; create a new, advanced semiconductor packaging research and development center and upgrade its East Fishkill facility in Dutchess County.