Intel's revolutionary 54-year-old 4004 chip was the world's first programmable microchip — 2,300-transistor 10,000nm processor exposed

Intel's 54-year-old 4004 chip, the first programmable microchip, was recently dissected by CPU Duke, revealing its 2,300-transistor 10,000nm processor. The 4-bit processor had a clock speed of 740kHz and a 15V operating voltage, capable of addressing only 4kB of memory. Originally designed for a calculator, Intel's 4004 marked a significant shift in chip design, enabling reprogramming by software and laying the foundation for modern processors. Despite initial challenges, Intel repurchased the rights to the 4004, propelling the company into the multi-billion-dollar chip maker it is today.