A commemorative plaque marking the Silicon Valley booth where Nvidia was conceived has been removed from a Denny’s restaurant in San Jose, but the chain says it will be reinstalled.
The plaque, displayed at the Berryessa Drive branch, celebrated the booth as “the booth that launched a $1 trillion company”. It also referred to the idea that began there as one that would “change the world”.
An employee confirmed that the plaque was taken down on Thursday evening, although no reason was given for its removal.
The development follows the disclosure of allegations about Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang’s personal relationships, including an alleged affair involving Alice Huang, a former senior executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed who is also suspected of being a Chinese spy.
Colton Grace, a Denny’s spokesman, said the plaque would return.
“We’re reinstalling the plaque recognizing the conversations at Denny’s that helped launch NVIDIA,” he said.
“Jensen Huang started at Denny’s as a dishwasher. Years later, he and his co-founders gathered in one of our booths to discuss the idea that became Nvidia. The plaque commemorates that shared history.”
He added: “America’s Diner has long been a place where people and ideas come together, and that history deserves to be preserved.”
The Nvidia story began at Denny’s
Huang began working for Denny’s at the age of 15 as a dishwasher and busboy. Years later, he and his co-founders discussed the concept that became Nvidia at the San Jose restaurant.
The company later became a major force in the artificial intelligence boom, while Huang rose to lead one of the technology industry’s most valuable businesses.
Huang, 63, is reported to have stepped down as Nvidia launched an internal investigation into allegations involving a suspected Chinese spy, an Nvidia colleague and another unidentified employee. Chief financial officer Colette Kress was announced as interim chief executive.
Huang has acknowledged having an affair and apologised to his family, while promising to co-operate fully with the investigation. He has been married to Lori Huang for more than 40 years.
Further reports alleged relationships with female Nvidia executives, including vice-president of healthcare Kimberly Powell, and another unidentified employee. The claims remain allegations.
The disclosures have coincided with a reported $550 billion fall in Nvidia’s market valuation and raised national security concerns surrounding the company and the artificial intelligence industry.
