---
title: "How the Government Built Silicon Valley"
summary: |-
  The idea that all we need is a few hearty innovators with a few wealthy philanthropists supporting their work is not a recipe for progress.
date: "2012-03-15"
issues: ["Internet"]
authors: ["Robert D. Atkinson"]
content_type: "Op-Eds & Contributed Articles"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2012/03/15/how-government-built-silicon-valley/"
---

# How the Government Built Silicon Valley

The life-enhancing achievements of tech pioneers like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg have been celebrated in countless news stories and magazine articles. But the idea that all we need is a few hearty innovators with a few wealthy philanthropists supporting their work is not a recipe for progress, writes Rob Atkinson.

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2012/03/15/how-government-built-silicon-valley/*