Intel opens up its first programmable microprocessor

 

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By Alun Williams

Posted on 16 Nov 2006 at 17:01

A bit of computing history. It was 35 years ago that Intel released its first programmable microprocessor, the Intel 4004, and helped begin the miniaturisation of computing, which lead directly to today's ubiquitous personal computer.

Measuring 1/8th by 1/6th of an inch, the chip, produced in November 1971, delivered the same computing power as the ENIAC electronic computer of 1946, which filled an entire room with its 18,000 vacuum tubes.

The 4004 contained 2,300 transistors, which also contrasts with the 291 million transistors of the recent Core 2 Duo. In terms of process technology, Intel reminisces, the 4004's circuit line was 10 microns or 10,000 nanometers as compared with the 65nm widths for today's chips.

Intel has made details of the historic chip - datasheets and schematics - available under a special non-commercial licence (License of Intel Corporation's 4004 microprocessor historical material).

You can find more information here and also here.