History of Computers - Intel 4004
Page by: Wren Fondren
Invented in 1971 by Intel, the 4004 chip was the first microprocessor to be sold on the open market. It was a 4-bit CPU and could process up to 92,000 instructions per second, which translates to one instruction per 11 microseconds, dramatically increasing the speed of commercial computers. Although microprocessors had been around for a short amount, the Intel 4004 opened up the market significantly for computers aimed at homes and businesses, as opposed to scientific research.
Contents
Overview
In 1971, Ted Hoff received a request from a potential client in Japan, Busicom, to build them a series of twelve custom designed chips to control everything from screen to keyboard in their calculators [1]. However, Hoff lacked the resources and manpower to take on such a task, so instead he decided to use what he did have: brainpower. Between Federico Faggin, Ted Hoff, and Stan Mazor, Intel came up with a new plan for a chip that could do the work of twelve; Busicom agreed and funded their work.
Significance
Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_4004
http://inventors.about.com/od/mstartinventions/a/microprocessor.htm
http://www.intel.com/museum/archives/4004.htm
http://www.cpu-museum.com/4004_e.htm
