JW wrote:

I know I'm getting up there in years, but is the writing on semiconductors
getting fainter and fainter? I have to drag everything under the
microscope just to read the markings. Even on DIPs for christ's sake.

You're correct.


WTF - are the chip makers actually saving money by doing this?

Many of them are actually now laser etched rather than printed to help avoid
counterfeiting. It's much less visible.

Graham