Michael Riordan

About the Author

Michael Riordan is a distinguished science historian and physicist whose work illuminates the pivotal innovations that shaped the modern world. With a PhD in physics from Stanford University, he has dedicated his career to exploring the human stories behind technological breakthroughs, blending rigorous scholarship with engaging narrative. Riordan's deep dive into the semiconductor revolution, particularly in his acclaimed book Crystal Fire: The Invention of the Transistor and the Birth of the Information Age (Sloan Technology Series), co-authored with Lillian Hoddeson, chronicles the dramatic discovery of the transistor and its profound impact on computing and communication. A former research associate at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, he continues to lecture and write on the intersections of science, technology, and society, making complex histories accessible to a broad audience.