[vcf-midatlantic] Working on a historical microprocessor exhibt

[Christian Liendo]

I have my own opinions but I figured I would look at what others think
and get some ideas.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/static/chip-hall-of-fame

Acorn Computers ARM1 Processor
Reading this on the smartphone? Then you’re using a direct descendant
of this processor right now

Atmel ATmega8
The chip at the heart of the original Arduino was created by two
annoyed students

Computer Cowboys
Sh-Boom Processor
You’ve never heard of it. But this processor’s high-speed architecture
has been duplicated in every modern computer

Intel 8088 Microprocessor
The “castrated” processor that birthed the IBM PC

Microchip Technology PIC 16C84 Microcontroller
Adding easily reprogrammable onboard memory to store software
revolutionized microcontrollers

MOS Technology 6502 Microprocessor
>From the heroic age of 8-bit CPUs, this processor powered the Apple
II, Commodore 64, BBC Micro, and more

Motorola MC68000 Microprocessor
The processor that powered the original Macintosh, as well as the
beloved Amiga computers

Sun Microsystems SPARC Processor
Using an unproven new architecture, this processor put Sun
Microsystems on the map

Texas Instruments TMS32010 Digital Signal Processor
This chip put digital signal —specialists in handling the messy world
outside the computer—on the map

Texas Instruments TMS9900
An ambitious failure, this processor powered the first 16-bit home computer

Transmeta Corp. Crusoe Processor
Ahead of its time, this chip heralded the mobile era when energy use,
not processing power, would become the most important spec

Zilog Z80 Microprocessor
Another legend from the 8-bit era, this processor powered the first
portable computer as well as the beloved “Trash”-80

Intel 4004 Microprocessor
The first CPU-on-a-chip was a shoe-string crash project

RCA CDP 1802
Despite bad management, the first CMOS microprocessor went all the way
to Jupiter

Nvidia NV20
The first configurable graphics processor opened the door to a
machine-learning revolution