Intel Inside the Micro Revolution: 8008 Origins

9 hours ago

Intel's resurgence is driven by strong demand for x86 CPUs, which are central to its business.
The story of Intel's first 8-bit CPU (8008) began with a proposal from Computer Terminal Corporation (CTC) in 1969, which Intel co-founder Robert Noyce initially rejected as 'useless'.
CTC needed a custom chip for its Datapoint 2200 terminal, leading to discussions with Intel engineer Stan Mazor, who suggested creating an 8-bit CPU on a single chip.
Intel agreed to develop the CPU after CTC offered to fund the project, despite internal skepticism and competition from memory chip priorities.
The project, initially named 1201 and later renamed 8008, faced delays and low priority until Seiko expressed interest in 1971, reviving development.
Texas Instruments (TI) surprised Intel by announcing its own 8-bit CPU for the Datapoint 2200 in June 1971, claiming it was developed independently from CTC's specifications.
The Intel 8008 was finally announced in March 1972 after Federico Faggin and Hal Feeney completed its design, featuring a simple but sensible architecture derived from CTC's original design.
Compared to the earlier 4-bit 4004, the 8008 was more practical for general-purpose use, though limited by its 18-pin design and performance constraints.
This marked the beginning of Intel's CPU legacy, setting the stage for future x86 processors that would dominate the microcomputer market.

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