Origins of the Modern PC

Homncruse writes "ComputerWorld dispels myths about the history of modern day computers — or, more appropriately, the invention of the first microprocessor. Contrary to popular belief, 'the [Intel] 8008 was not actually derived from the 4004 — they were separate projects.' In fact, the 8008 concept didn't originate from Intel (though they were eventually granted IP rights.) The article goes on to explain the events leading up to the invention and first intended use of the 8008 (a predecessor to the 8086, etc.), and how Intel was initially uneasy about the venture."

Comments

Look at A/C systems

[Chmcginn]

... I can't believe they were having problems overclocking back then TOO. You'd think in 40 years, someone would have come up with a better solution that using water..

Fossil fuel engines, refridgeration and air conditioning systems have been around a lot longer than that, and there's still no better way to cool off something hot than running a cool liquid around it.

Re:Look at A/C systems

[houstonbofh]

there's still no better way to cool off something hot than running a cool liquid around it.

There have been some advances in computer cooling.

From wiki: - Peltier cooling or thermoelectric cooling - Water cooling - Heat pipe - Phase-change cooling - Liquid nitrogen - Soft cooling

I suppose it depends on what you mean by "better".

Well, since half of those are using a liquid, you don't exactly hurt his argument.

Re:Overclocking in the 70s?

[orasio]

There are lots of better solutions.
My favorite is to decrease wattage, it's just simpler.
Passive heatsinks are good, too.
Liquid cooling not involving water is used, too.

The problem comes when you want to define "better".
We have lots of engines that are better than the internal combustion engine, but in that case, "better" depends on so many things, that nobody agrees to choose a replacement.

Re:Word processors

[pipingguy]

special-purpose machines which offered text editing, printing, and storage for documents. They replaced typewriters.

I find it kind of sad that most people reading this have never typed on anything that doesn't rely on electrons to work.

+1 Irrelevant Old Fart Comment
+1 Get Off My Lawn Comment

Re:Word processors

[corsec67]

Wouldn't the electrons used in the bonds of a mechanical typewriter also be critical for it to work?

A mechanical typewriter without an electrical circuit would still need electrons to hold it together.

Re:Word processors

[Amiga Trombone]

I find it kind of sad that most people reading this have never typed on anything that doesn't rely on electrons to work.

+1 Irrelevant Old Fart Comment

+1 Get Off My Lawn Comment

As somebody who's quite old enough to remember typing on things that didn't rely on electrons or even electricity, I can tell you for sure I don't miss the joys of carbon paper, having to start from scratch if you made a mistake, changing ribbons or unjamming jammed keys at all.

That's like saying you feel sad because some people have never experienced the joy of taking a crap in an outhouse on a cold winter day.

Sir, what are you thinking of?

Re:Pretty good connection for developers

[maestroX]

(1) (..) That bit lasted all the way through the Pentium line. (Could it remain in X86_64? I no longer work in the assembly language world and do not know.) (2) (...)(This is the genesis of the non-orthogonal register sets that compiler writers complained about all the way through IA32, which are fully rectified only with X86_64.)

Am I too audacious in claiming that AMD cleaned up the mess?