Happy 50th, Intel 4004

[Blumf]

The Intel 4004 microprocessor was launched this day 50 years ago. The first commercially available[nb]Other chips were available prior, but for government or custom purchasers[/nb] microchip CPU.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_4004

As well as leading, commercially if not directly technologically, to the 8086 line of chips we still user today, people who worked on the 4004 also went on to found Zilog that created the Z-80 CPU found in many 1980s home computer systems. Even the team that went on to make the Motorola 6800 (a lot of whom went on to the other big 80s 8-bit CPU the MOS Technology 6502[nb]Used in the BBC Micro by the team that would go on to create the ARM series of microprocessors[/nb]) had exposure to the 4004 before launch. So a whole lot of computer history revolves around this humble little 4-bit chip.

[canadagoose]

Strange to think, eh. I don't think I've ever used a computer with one of those in it. I wonder what it was like.

[Blumf]

More likely would have been a calculator. 4 bits was a little too underpowered for general purpose computing, but very suited for decimal calculations.


http://www.vintagecalculators.com/html/busicom_141-pf.html

Also, forgot to link https://www.4004.com/ which has a nice picture of the chip's layout.