How Samsung became the world’s No. 2 advanced chipmaker and set the stage for a U.S. manufacturing boom

Samsung’s brand is everywhere. From Galaxy phones and smart TVs to washing machines and refrigerators, the company says its products can be found in nearly three-quarters of U.S. households. 

But Samsung is much more than gadgets and appliances, and there’s another reason why it’s one of the world’s most valuable companies. It’s the second-biggest maker of chips that are powering so many popular devices.

For more than three decades, Samsung…