On Wednesday November 17, 2010 President Obama will honor the 2009 recipients of the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in an awards ceremony at the White House. Three Silicon Valley technology pioneers, Federico Faggin, Marcian E. Hoff Jr., and Stanley Mazor will receive the award as a team for their contributions to the development of Intel’s groundbreaking MCS-4 Micro Computer family chip set.
While some observers dispute the designation of the 4004 member of the family, described on the data sheet issued in November 1971 as a “4-bit parallel CPU with 45 instructions”, as the first microprocessor, few contest the fact that it was the first to be sold as a separate commercial component. In this role it is recognized as the device that kick-started the microprocessor revolution and Intel’s rise to prominence as the world’s largest semiconductor company.
As distinct from the case of the first IC where some of the most significant contributors remain unsung, see our story of October 29, these three individuals each made unique contributions to the creation of the device that are widely recognized by their peers. Hoff led the architectural development phase of the project, assisted by Mazor. Faggin created the silicon design methodology and led the chip’s development phase. In the latter task he was assisted by Matasoshi Shima of Japan’s Busicom, the customer who initiated the project. For more information see the “Intel 4004 Microprocessor Oral History Panel” transcript on the Computer History Museum website.
The National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government on scientists, engineers and inventors. The ceremony will be carried live by satellite feed and webcast on the White House website.
More on Silicon Valley History
Learn more about the people products and places that created this world renowned hotbed of technology and innovation. Visit this site regularly. Read Silicon Valley: Exploring the Communities behind the Digital Revolution available from amazon.com. Or download the iPhone app Silicon Valley Roots & Shoots from iTunes.
Comments