Microprocessors Change the World

817 Words2 Pages

Microprocessors incorporate the functions of a computer's central processing unit and were first used in calculators but we can now find them in everyday appliances like washing machines, microwaves, refrigerators, and in cars. Microprocessors are the hearts of PCs and had major impacts on "political upheavals worldwide, as well as the radical reconstructing of the publishing, entertainment, and communications industries" (mslater.com)
Federico Faggin, Marcian Edward "Ted" Hoff, and Stanley Mazor worked together to lead the design and development of the first commercial microprocessor in November 1971, the Intel 4004. Federico Faggin was born in Vicenza, Italy on December 1, 1941. In 1965, he received a doctorate in physics from the University of Padua. In 1968, Faggin immigrated to the United States to work for Fairchild in Palo Alto. At Fairchild, Faggin developed the original silicon gate technology. In 1970, he began working for Intel on the Intel 4004 microprocessor. (inventors.about.com) Ted Hoff was born October 28, 1937 in Rochester, New York. In 1957, he received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1959, he received his Master's from Stanford. In 1962, he received his Ph.D. from Stanford. (inventors.about.com) Stanley Mazor was born on 22 October 1941 in Chicago, Illinois. Stanley Mazor studied mathematics at San Francisco State College. In 1964, he joined Fairchild as a programmer and computer designer. (inventors.about.com)
Before the Intel 4004, the integrated circuit had to be manufactured to fit a single purpose (Computers & the Internet) for the reason, Intel Co. set their minds to create a chip that was powerful yet still small and that's exactly what they di...

... middle of paper ...

...creating a powerful new generation of computers. Until the time the microprocessors use has been exhausted, it will continue to evolve, bringing about many new and innovative types in the near future. The recent microprocessors of our time (16-bit and 32-bit,) are just mere pages in the boundless book of processor history.

Works Cited

Bellis, Mary. "Federico Faggin - First Microprocessor." About.com Inventors. About.com, 05 Mar. 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
Ganssle, Jack. "Microprocessors Change the World." Embedded. Embedded, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
"CPU - Central Processing Unit." What Is Central Processing Unit (CPU)? Webopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
"Computer Hardware." Industry Background|Vault.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
Martinez, Nicole. "What Significant Impact Does the Microprocessor Have?" EHow. Demand Media, 20 May 2010. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.

More about Microprocessors Change the World

Open Document