Photos: How the microprocessor changed our lives for you
This little chip was created for a calculator, popularised by a video game, made smaller and its responsibilities have only got bigger and bigger. Here are some highlights from a 50-year journey.
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Thank this team for making the world so comfortable with technology. The microprocessor, which powers every electronic device from washing machines to space satellites was created by Ted Hoff’s team at Intel in 1971, in the building in the background.(Intel)
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Work began in 1969 when the Japanese Nippon Calculating Machine Corporation hired Intel to design chips for a printing calculator.(Intel)
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Instead, Intel worked out the 4004 a general-purpose processor that could be used across many devices. They persuaded the Japanese company to allow them to sell it commercially.(Intel)
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Intel was excited about the 4004. Customers would get the same computing power as a computer built in 1946, which used to fill an entire room. They released this ad in the November 15, 1971 issue of Electronic News. But even Intel didn’t anticipate the revolution to come.(Intel)
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