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The Calculator that spawned the Microprocessor (2009)

: The Busicom 141-PF calculator and the Intel 4004 microprocessor The fascinating story of why the development of a calculator led to the development of the first commercial microprocessor, and the unexpected consequences. © 2009 Nigel Tout This is a new article which was not originally in "The International Calculator Collector".

Graham says that the same versatility that Busicom wanted in the calculator set—the same basic chips can be used in a complete line of calculators—also will provide designers of digital control equipment both flexibility and the cost break in buying a standard set. However, a trade advertisement revealed to a shocked Intel that Texas Instruments had full MOS (Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) LSI (Large-Scale Integration) manufacturing capability and was working on the development of a CPU (Central Processor Unit = microprocessor). Significantly, initial sales of the MCS-4 chip-set were small (often in quantities of one or two as samples were bought to try out), and Intel made more money by selling the design tools, such as prototyping boards and software assembler and simulators to development engineers.

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