Final answer:
The invention of the integrated circuit by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce in 1958 made it viable and marketable, leading to miniaturized and powerful electronics which enabled the development of personal computers and set the stage for the technology boom in Silicon Valley.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event that made the integrated circuit feasible as a viable, marketable product was the groundbreaking invention of the integrated circuit by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce in 1958. This advancement combined numerous transistors into a single silicon chip, allowing for faster computation, reduced power consumption, and minimized physical size. The microchip significantly lowered computer sizes, making them more accessible to consumers and businesses.
Following the invention of the integrated circuit, Texas Instruments and other companies leveraged the new technology to manufacture devices like the world's first pocket radio. This initial commercial application showcased the IC's practicality and versatility, eventually leading to more complex and powerful computing systems, such as personal computers. The journey continued with the Intel Corporation's development of microprocessors, which further miniaturized and empowered computing, leading to the market introduction of products like the Altair 8800 and ultimately establishing a foundation for companies like Apple and IBM to flourish in the PC market.
The development of microprocessors, an entire computer processor on a single chip, further revolutionized personal computing, facilitating the emergence of PCs from companies like Apple and the entry of IBM into this expanding sector. These innovations adhered to the rapid advancement pace known as Moore's Law, witnessing electronic capabilities double approximately every two years.