I've been writing on CPU technology here at Ars for almost five years now, and during that time I've done my best to communicate computing concepts in as plain and accessible a manner as possible ...

The big picture: Intel forever changed the trajectory of computing - and really, human history - with the introduction of the first commercially available microprocessor. The Intel 4004 launched 50 ...

The Birth of the Microprocessor The Intel 4004 is considered the first microprocessor, but its creation by Intel came down to a combination of hard work, the right timing, and just plain luck.

Thirty years ago, on June 8, 1978, Intel Corp. introduced its first 16-bit microprocessor, the 8086, with a splashy ad heralding “the dawn of a new era.” Overblown? Sure, but also prophetic. While the ...