Silicon Valley, the southern region of San Francisco Bay in California currently serves as a global center for innovation and technology. It was in the 1950's when this region became associated with the high-tech industry. From that moment on, solid state technology research and development took place in the Standford Industrial Park, that was especially important in the valley's development. Within this framework, Frederick Terman, Standford's dean of engineering and provost, was credited with nurturing Hewlett-Packard and many other high-tech firms that would contribute to build this high-tech mecca.