Watch Silicon Valley: The Untold Story

Silicon Valley: The Untold Story is a thought-provoking and informative documentary that aired on Science in 2018. The show delves deep into the history of Silicon Valley, the technological hub located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area known for groundbreaking innovations, startups and high-tech companies that dominate the industry.

Through this documentary, viewers gain an inside look at the evolution of the technology industry from the early days of Apple, Intel, and Fairchild Semiconductor to the current industry giants such as Google, Facebook and Apple. The show explores the fearless, visionary minds that have propelled Silicon Valley’s innovation and entrepreneurship to the international stage.

Narrated by The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons, the show opens with an overview of the technological advancements in Silicon Valley, before diving into the life of its pioneers, including Robert Noyce, the founder of Intel, and Al Alcorn, an electrical engineer who developed the legendary arcade game, Pong.

The show also examines the contribution of some of the lesser-known entrepreneurs, including Jack Kilby who developed the first integrated circuit and Doug Engelbart, who presented the world's first practical mouse and hypertext at a conference in 1968.

The show also delves into the impact of the dot-com bubble on the Valley during the late 90s and the events that lead to the collapse of many startups. It raises questions around the sustainability of the startup environment and the importance of finding a market fit.

Throughout the show, the interviewees, including Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, and former Facebook VP of Product, Sam Lessin, provide insight on their roles in shaping the industry and how their work has enabled new opportunities and transformed the way businesses operate.

Despite its incredible success, the documentary doesn't shy away from exploring the criticisms of Silicon Valley. The show touches on the negative impact of some of the products of these companies on society and the political and economic implications of the influence of tech giants.

Moreover, the documentary also discusses the underrepresentation of women and people of color in the industry and the continued struggle for diversity and inclusion in Silicon Valley.

Silicon Valley: The Untold Story strikes a great balance between celebrating the successes and technological advancements of the Valley while also questioning the negative impacts of the industry. The documentary is a perfect blend of science, history, and politics.

Overall, the documentary provides a comprehensive and holistic view of one of the most fascinating places on earth, the Silicon Valley. It showcases the relentless drive and innovation that transformed small tech startups into the global technology leaders of today.

In summary, Silicon Valley: The Untold Story is a captivating and well-made documentary that showcases the history, rise of entrepreneurship, and evolution of technology in Silicon Valley. Anyone interested in technology as well as entrepreneurship, startup culture, and the history of innovation will undoubtedly enjoy this riveting and educational show.

Silicon Valley: The Untold Story is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (3 episodes). The series first aired on March 19, 2018.