Launched in November 1971, the Intel® 4004 paved the way for modern microprocessor computing. As the world’s first commercially available microprocessor, the Intel 4004 enabled the convergence of the technology superpowers – ubiquitous computing, pervasive connectivity, cloud-to-edge infrastructure and artificial intelligence – and created a pace of innovation that is moving faster today than ever.
News
- Intel Marks 50th Anniversary of the Intel 4004 (News Byte)
- The Chip that Changed the World (Editorial)
Photos
Intel engineer Federico Faggin was on the team that designed the Intel 4004 microprocessor, which made its debut in November 1971.
Intel engineer Federico Faggin was on the team that designed the Intel 4004 microprocessor, which made its debut in November 1971.
Masatoshi Shima was an engineer with Nippon Calculating Machine Corp., the Japanese firm that designed the Busicom 141-PF printing calculator.
Intel engineer Stan Mazor was on the team that designed the Intel 4004 microprocessor, which made its debut in November 1971.
Intel engineer Marcian E. (Ted) Hoff was on the team that designed the Intel 4004 microprocessor, which made its debut in November 1971.
Intel engineer Ted Hoff is shown in his office with the Intel 4004. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
Intel engineer Stan Mazor was on the team that designed the Intel 4004 microprocessor, which made its debut in November 1971.
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger shows off the Intel 4004 microprocessor during the Intel Innovation event in October 2021. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger shows off the Intel 4004 microprocessor during the Intel Innovation event in October 2021. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
The Intel 4004 chip made its debut in November 1971. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
A schematic diagram offers details of the Intel 4004 microprocessor. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
A close-up of the Intel 4004’s schematic diagram displays colorized details of the microprocessor. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
A schematic diagram offers details of the Intel 4004 microprocessor. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
The Intel 4004 chip made its debut in November 1971. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
The world’s first programmable microprocessor advertisement ran across a two-page spread in Electronic News magazine in November 1971.
In 1969, Nippon Calculating Machine Corp. approached Intel to design custom integrated circuits for its new Busicom 141-PF printing calculator. The 4004 was one of four chips Intel designed for the machine.
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