Information About the Intel 4004 Computer Microprocessor

Produced from 1971 to 1981, the Intel 4004 was a 4-bit central processing unit from Intel Corporation. The creation of the CPU was instrumental in making Intel Corporation the largest processor maker in the world.

Background

In 1969, Japanese calculator manufacturer Nippon Calculating Machine Corporation, also known as Busicom, commissioned Intel to create a dozen processing chips for its Busicom 141-PF printing calculator. Intel responded by creating four chips instead, one of which was the CPU-containing Intel 4004. Busicom shared the rights of the chip with Intel; and the 4004 appeared in an advertisement in the November 15, 1971, issue of "Electronic News," permitting its use for non-calculator applications.

Characteristics and Performance

Upon its debut, the Intel 4004 consisted of 2,300 transistors produced on 2-inch wafers. It remains one of the smallest microprocessors ever created. Despite its size, it possessed the same computing power as the first electronic computer, which was built in 1946 and filled an entire room.

Significance

Primarily due to its size and design, the Intel 4004 bears the distinction of being the first general purpose or commercially available microprocessor in history. It was also the first complete CPU created on one chip.

References

• Intel Corporation: The Intel 4004