Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, officially resigned from the board yesterday at the company's annual stockholder meeting.

One leading chip analyst called him "the glue that held Intel together".

Best-known for Moore's Law, the concept that chip performance doubles every 18 months, he stepped down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 72 he set for company directors.

He has served on the board since the company was founded in 1968, but will continue to maintain an honorary title.

Joe D'Elia, chip analyst at Dataquest, said: "He has been one of the true visionaries of the semiconductor industry. Moore's Law gave people an understanding of what semiconductors could be, and is still valid today. It creates an expectation which people strive to fulfil."

Andy Grove, chairman of the Intel board of directors, added: "We will miss Gordon Moore's direct role on the Intel board. It would be impossible to adequately thank Gordon, whose name is synonymous with integrated circuit technology, for all he has done for Intel and the industry."