Microprocessor
This generation can be characterized by both the jump to
monolithic integrated
circuits(millions of transistors
put onto one integrated circuit chip) and the invention of the
microprocessor (a single chip
that could do all the processing of a full-scale computer). By putting
millions of transistors onto one single
chip more calculation and faster speeds could be reached by computers.
Because electricity travels about a foot in a billionth of a second, the smaller the distance the greater the speed of computers. However what really triggered the tremendous growth of computers and its significant impact on our lives is the invention of the microprocessor. Ted Hoff, employed by Intel (Robert Noyce's new company) invented a chip the size of a pencil eraser that could do all the computing and logic work of a computer. The microprocessor was made to be used in calculators, not computers. |
It led to the invention of
personal computers, or microcomputers. In 1977 the Apple II was sold to the public and in 1981 IBM entered the PC (personal computer) market. Ted Hoff, inventor of The microprocessor. |