First IC

First Integrated Circuit

Credit for the first integrated circuit is given to Jack S. Kilby. He was working for Texas Instruments when he accomplished this feat.

Today's integrated circuit can combine on one piece of material, transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, connectors and conductors, light emitting devices, mechanical levers, gears and bearings, insulators and lasers. All of this can be done across multiple layers within the material. From its crude beginnings of a few components, the integrated circuit has developed into a powerhouse of capability.

Custom microprocessor created at MIT

In 2026, integrated circuits are the foundation of all sophisticated electronics technology. This invention, a natural successor to that of the tube and transistor, is primarily responsible for the operation - the very possibility of existence - of all commercial computing systems in use today.

The custom microprocessor shown here was created by three students, Jason Bergendahl, Tim Denison and Tairan Wang at the Massachusets Institute of Technology in 1996. It understands 32 instuctions, and handles 16-bit data. That this was a student project suitable for three persons and an advisor shows how far the technology had come by 1996.

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