Intel's 4004 Microprocessor: Accidental Birth
Intel's much acclaimed microprocessor technology was actually intended for something else

The Intel 4004 Microprocessor came into prominence 30 years ago. It started a technological revolution since it was the first product to integrate the main elements of a computer into a single chip. You will be surprised to know that it's not the way the story was written. The 4004 was originally designed to be a component of a Japanese calculator. This Japanese firm initially owned all rights to the chip.

At that time most people at Intel did not see much promise in the chip. The microprocessors soon transformed Intel and other companies into industry leaders. This was achieved through clever bargaining and some unexpected design decisions. Today, It has become Intel's defining business area but the first 10 years it was looked upon merely as a sideshow. Since the 1970s, these microprocessors and micro controllers (embedded microprocessors with integrated components) have become omnipresent. In 2000 alone, 385 million microprocessors and 6.4 billion micro controllers were shipped according to Mercury Research. The microprocessor has made a sizable impact on everyone's life. Before it came in to prominence, computers were huge machines that ranged from cabinet size to room size.

The 4004 was the creation of three engineers: Ted Hoff, Stan Mazor and Federico Faggin. In April 1969, Busicom, a Japanese calculator manufacturer hired Intel to develop a series of custom chips for their five upcoming machines. Mazor, a former Fairchild Semiconductor engineer, joined Hoff to develop a design. After Hoff and Mazor completed the conceptual architecture, Intel's Vadasz lured Faggin from Fairchild in April 1970 to construct the chip. He developed silicon gate technology to allow designers to eliminate aluminum transistor gates that were far larger and harder to control.

On Faggin's second day on the job, Masatoshi Shima, a Busicom engineer, arrived to check on the project's progress. No work had been done since December and Shima was very angry. The engineer managed to convince him though and Busicom granted an extension to the contract. After that it was sheer hard work including fourteen-hour workdays for Faggin and his three assistants. Today's designers use high-end workstations to design circuits. Faggin's team, however, laid out circuit patterns with razor-thin strips of rubylith.

In time, some Intel insiders began to realise the power of this invention, assisted by pushing from the three inventors. Intel founder Bob Noyce started to think whether the 4004 had broader implications. By the time Intel finished the 4004, Busicom wanted a discount because there was increasing competition in the calculator market. Instead, Intel offered to cut the contract price if Busicom would grant Intel permission to freely sell the chip outside the calculator market. Busicom agreed and the rest as they say, was history.

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