The Evolution of the Microprocessor Essay -- essays research papers

The Integrated CircuitThe Evolution of an Electronic MiracleThe microprocessor evolved over the cable of many years of research, and people all over the world enchant the benefits of this electronic miracle. It is difficult to think of anything that has affected modern life more than this invention. Cellular phones, wristwatches, calculators, automobiles, stereos, televisions, and computers are just a few of the thousands of electronic devices that imbibe a microchip at the heart of its operation. Over the years, three study breakthroughs occurred to accelerate the birth of the microprocessor the vacuum underground, the transistor, and the integrated circuit. The Vacuum TubeAmerican physicist Lee De Forest invented the vacuum tube in 1906. However, one moldiness look back to 1879 when Thomas Edison first revealed the incandescent electric send off bulb to understand how De Forest developed his idea. Edisons invention consisted of a conducting chain mounted in a glass bulb. El ectricity red through the filament caused it to heat up and created a vacuum that prevented the filament from oxidizing and burning up. In 1883, Edison observe electrons flowing through the vacuum from the well-lighted filament to a metal plate mounted inner the bulb. This became cognize as the Edison Effect, but he did not develop this particular stripping any further. However, British physicist John Fleming found that the Edison Effect also detected radio waves and reborn them to electricity. In 1904, Fleming first showed off his two-element vacuum tube known as the Fleming diode that converted an alternating current (AC) guide into direct current (DC) (Kuphaldt).The Fleming diode consisted of an incandescent light bulb with an supernumerary electrode inside. Electrons boiled off the surface of the metal plate and into the vacuum inside the bulb as the filament became white-hot. When the extra electrode became more positive than the filament, a direct current flowed throu gh the vacuum proving that AC signals could be converted into DC. One of the first uses of the Fleming diode was to detect weak signals produced by the sensitive wireless telegraph. Later, the diode vacuum tube was used to convert AC into DC for power supplies in electronic equipment (Kuphaldt).Many inventors tried to repair the Fleming diode, but the only one who succeeded was American inventor Lee De Forest. In 1906, De Forest int... ...light bulb.ReferencesBellis, M. The story of Computers. Retrieved Mar. 03, 2005, from About.com web site http//www.inventors. slightly.com/library/blcoindex.htm. Hoff, T. Fascinating Facts about the Invention of the Microprocessor. Retreived Feb 28, 2005, from Idea Finder web site http//www.ideafinder.com/ memoir/inventions/microprocessor.htmIC Knowledge. muniment of the Integrated Circuit. Retrieved February 28, 2005, from IC Knowledge web site http//www.icknowledge.com/history/history.html. Kuphaldt, T. R. Early Tube History. Retrieved Feb. 24, 2005, from All About Circuits Web site http//www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_13/2.html. Lindberg, A. A. The History of the Integrated Circuit. Retrieved Mar. 03, 2005, from Nobelprize.org Web site http//nobelprize.org/physics/educational/integrated_circuit/historyMaxfield, C. and Brown, A. Retrieved Feb. 24, 2005, from The History of Computers Web site http//www.maxmon.com. Riordan, M. and Hoddeson, L. (1997). Crystal Fire-The Birth of the Information Age. New York, NY W.W. Norton & order Inc. Sullivan, J. (Ed.). (1988). The Chipmakers. Alexandrea, VA Time-Life Books. (Understanding Computers Series)