Bob Widlar
Once can't discuss the history of op amps without mentioning their most infamous designer, Mr. Bob Widlar.
Here's just the "greatest hits" of Bob's amazing 1960s output:
1964 - µA702
1965 - µA709
1966 - LM100
1967 - µA723
1967 - Widlar Current Source Patent (used in the µA741)
1967 - LM101
1968 - LM102
1969 - LM108
1970 - LM110
At this point, at age 33, Bob Widlar went into early retirement and moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He continued to be a consultant and would return to chip design four years later. Notable later designs are the LM10 and LM12.
While Bob can't take credit for the µA741, the 741 does rely upon a Widlar invention, the Widlar current source, within its circuit. So Bob can take some credit for the 741.
So we can thank Bob for giving us the slow LM308 that will live on for as long as RAT pedals are in demand.
Bob is infamous for smashing things ("Widlarizing"), drinking hard, a fondness for practical jokes, and just being an all around "character" with plenty of colorful stories to go around.