C4004

The Intel 4004 is a 4-bit central processing unit (CPU) released by Intel Corporation in November 1971. It was the first commercially available microprocessor on a single chip, making it a landmark achievement in computing history. Designed by Federico Faggin, Ted Hoff, and Stanley Mazor, the 4004 was originally developed for Busicom, a Japanese calculator manufacturer. It was part of the 4-chip MCS-4 microcomputer set, which also included the 4001 (ROM with I/O ports), 4002 (RAM with I/O ports), and 4003 (shift register). The 4004 contained 2,300 transistors and could perform up to 92,600 instructions per second. Its introduction revolutionized electronics, paving the way for the development of personal computers and a vast array of embedded systems. The C4004 designation refers to the ceramic package version of the chip.