| MadSci Network: Computer Science |
> I am a teacher and want to teach my students about the history
> of microcomputers. Who invented the microprocessor or was it
> a group effort with in a company?
Linda -
I know that Intel invented the microprocessor, but I confess that I did not know the details of this invention until I researched the answer to your question.
Looking at the
MetaCrawler Parallel Web Search Service, and searching for
microprocessor history inventI found several interesting web sights that gave me your answer.
From the " History of Computers" web page, I found a short essay of computer history, which included this:
"In 1971, engineers at Intel Corporation designed the first microprocessor. A microprocessor puts all the circuits needed for a computer onto a single chip. This development made the personal computer possible."From the " A Chronology of Computer History: 3000 BC - 1994 AD" page, I extracted the following from a brief chronology of computer history:
1971: Intel Corporation announces the first microprocessor, the Intel 4004, developed by a team headed by Marcian E. Hoff.For a really great resource for information on the invention of the first microprocessor, go to the source.... Intel's homepage. Since 1996 is the 25th anniversary of the microprocessor, Intel has a special web page set up for "interacting with history" that describes briefly each step inthe process of inventing the microprocessor.
See Intel's interactive celebration of the 25th anniversary of the microprocessor.
Hope this is helpful!