James Fischer (December 27, 1927 – July 3, 2004) was an American engineer, who developed high-purity silicon technology for Texas Instruments. Born in Boaz, Alabama, Fischer grew up in Gentry, Arkansas. Fischer graduated from the University of Arkansas and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Hired by Texas Instruments in 1955, Fischer, with a master's degree in chemical engineering, worked with the technical staff on high-purity silicon, and helped develop the high-purity silicon manufacturing plant. In 1978, he became vice president of the company's worldwide semiconductor operations, and in 1980, became executive vice president of the company. He retired from Texas Instruments in 1984 and died of cancer in 2004, in Richardson, Texas. Notes 1927 births 2004 deaths People from Boaz, Alabama Deaths from cancer in Texas University of Arkansas alumni Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni People from Benton County, Arkansas 20th-century American engineers