The Intel 4004 was the world's first microprocessor—a complete general-purpose CPU on a single chip. Released in March 1971, and using cutting-edge silicon-gate technology, the 4004 marked the beginning of Intel's rise to global dominance in the processor industry.

When was the first microprocessor created?

Created in January 1971 by a team of logic architects and silicon engineers—Federico Faggin, Marcian (Ted) Hoff, Stanley Mazor, and Masatoshi Shima—for Japanese calculator manufacturer Busicom, the centerpiece of the four-chip set was the 4004, initially described as a 4-bit microprogrammable CPU.

What was the very first microprocessor?

The first Intel® 4004 microprocessor was produced on two-inch wafers compared to the 12-inch wafers commonly used for today's products. The Intel 4004 microprocessor is unique in that it is one of the smallest microprocessor designs that ever went into commercial production.