The Real History of Silicon Valley and the Lessons It Holds for Innovation Policy Today, With Margaret O’Mara

The dominant narrative about Silicon Valley, and U.S. tech innovation generally, is that it sprang from garages of quirky, but committed entrepreneurs. Yes, but… What many don’t realize is how important federal investments were in kick-starting the growth of Silicon Valley and other tech hubs in the past. Rob and Jackie discuss this history and its potential lessons for federal policy to spur growth in other parts of the country today with Professor Margaret O’Mara, author of The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America.

Mentioned:

• Margaret O’Mara, The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America (Penguin Random House, 2020).
• Robert D. Atkinson, Mark Muro, and Jacob Whiton, “The Case for Growth Centers: How to Spread Tech Innovation Across America” (ITIF, December 2019).
• Adams Nager, David M. Hart, Stephen Ezell, and Robert D. Atkinson, “The Demographics of Innovation in the United States” (ITIF, February 2019).
• Apple 1984 Super Bowl Commercial Introducing Macintosh Computer.
• Margaret O’Mara’s website: www.margaretomara.com.