In 1971, Intel released the 4004 microprocessor. Designed by Federico Faggin, Ted Hoff and Stanley Mazor as a central processing unit (CPU) for use in calculators and other small computers, it set an industry standard.
The 4004 was a 4-bit processor, meaning it could process and manipulate data in 4-bit increments. With an operating frequency of 740 kHz and the capability of executing approximately 92,000 instructions per second, this CPU design marked an improvement over earlier designs which utilized hundreds or thousands of discrete components.
The 4004 was an essential milestone in the evolution of modern computer processors. It paved the way for 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit processors used today in most computers worldwide. Furthermore, it was the first mass-produced and commercially sold processor – cementing its place as one of the cornerstones of our modern world’s technological progress.
