History of

Microprocessors

Intel 7004 (1971)

Introduced in 1971, the Intel 4004 marked a

monumental leap in computing history as the
world's first commercially available microprocessor.
Developed by a team at Intel led by Federico
Faggin, Ted Hoff, and Stanley Mazor, this
revolutionary chip condensed essential processing
functions onto a single integrated circuit. With a
clock speed of 740 kHz and the ability to execute
up to 92,600 instructions per second, it swiftly
found applications beyond calculators, shaping the
foundation of modern computing by enabling
smaller, more powerful devices and laying the
groundwork for Intel's future dominance in the
microprocessor market.

Intel 8008 (1972)

The Intel 8008, introduced in 1972, represented
a significant advancement in microprocessor
technology. Developed by Federico Faggin, Ted
Hoff, and Stanley Mazor, it offered improved
performance and versatility over its predecessor,
the 4004. With a clock speed of up to 200 kHz,
the 8008 found applications in early personal
computers, industrial control systems, and
scientific instruments, solidifying Intel's position
as a leader in microprocessor innovation and
shaping the future of computing.
 History of
Microprocessors

Intel 8080 (1974)

Launched in 1974, marked a significant leap

forward in microprocessor technology. Developed
by Federico Faggin and his team at Intel, it
boasted improved performance and capabilities
compared to its predecessor, the 8008. With a 16-
bit address bus and clock speeds reaching 2 MHz,
the 8080 found widespread use in early personal
computers like the Altair 8800, contributing to the
popularization of home computing and solidifying
Intel's leadership in the field.

Motorola 6800
(1974)

The Motorola 6800, launched in 1974, was a

pioneering microprocessor designed by Chuck
Peddle and his team at Motorola. With its 8-bit
architecture and clock speed of 1 MHz, it quickly
became popular in various applications beyond
mainframe computers. Used in early personal
computers like the Altair 680, as well as in
automotive and consumer electronics, its open
architecture fostered a vibrant ecosystem of
software and hardware peripherals, cementing its
legacy in computing history.
 History of
Microprocessors

Intel 8086 (1974)

Debuting in 1978, was a pivotal advancement in
microprocessor technology. It was Intel's first 16-
bit microprocessor, boasting improved
performance and capabilities. With its 16-bit
architecture and ability to access up to 1 MB of
memory, it set the stage for the x86
architecture's dominance in the personal
computing industry. Widely adopted in early PCs
and embedded systems, the 8086 cemented
Intel's leadership in microprocessor innovation
and profoundly influenced the trajectory of
computing

Motorola 68000
(1979)
Introduced in 1979, was a revolutionary 32-
bit microprocessor designed by Chuck
Peddle's team at Motorola. With a clock speed
of up to 8 MHz, it offered remarkable
processing power and versatility. Widely used
in early personal computers like the Apple
Macintosh, as well as in gaming consoles and
industrial equipment, its efficient design and
powerful instruction set made it a favorite
among developers, solidifying its place as one
of the most influential microprocessors in
computing history.
 History of
Microprocessors

Intel 80286 (1982)

Launched in 1982, marked a significant
advancement in microprocessor technology.
Building on the success of the 8086, it introduced
features like protected mode, enabling
multitasking and memory protection. With its 16-
bit architecture and clock speed of up to 12.5
MHz, it offered improved performance, expanding
its applications to early personal computers and
business systems, and shaping the trajectory of
computing.

Intel 80386
(1985)
Launched in 1985, was a transformative
microprocessor that propelled computing into
the 32-bit era. With its advanced architecture
and features like virtual memory and
multitasking support, it enabled more
sophisticated operating systems and
applications. Clocking speeds up to 33 MHz, it
found applications in personal computers,
servers, and workstations, fundamentally
shaping the future of computing technology.
 History of
Microprocessors

Intel Pentium (1993)

Launched in 1993, was a game-changer in
microprocessor technology. With its superscalar
architecture and innovations like pipelining and
on- chip cache memory, it delivered significant
performance improvements over its predecessors.
Ideal for demanding tasks like multimedia and
gaming, it quickly became the standard in
personal computing, securing Intel's dominance in
the microprocessor market and paving the way
for future advancements.

ARM Architecture
(1983-present)

The ARM architecture, born in 1983,

transformed microprocessors with its focus on
efficiency and performance. Initially used in
Acorn's computers, it quickly expanded into
smartphones, tablets, automotive systems,
and IoT devices. ARM's ongoing
advancements continue to shape both
hardware and software ecosystems, driving
innovation in computing worldwide.