History

• The first microprocessors showed up in the early 1970s. These early microprocessors were mainly used in calculators.
  
  

Types

• Three different microprocessors came on the scene at about the same time. These included the Intel 404, the TMS 1000 and the Garrett AiResearch's Central Air Data Computer. The Intel 404 is considered to be the first microprocessor.
  
  

Size

• The first 4-bit design microprocessor was followed by the 8-bit design, the 16-bit design, the 32-bit design and finally the 64-bit design. The 64-bit design was targeted to the personal computer market beginning in 2000.
  
  

Expert Insight

• Since the 1990s, designers have used the practice of adding extra processors to improve and speed up the performance of computers.
  
  

Fun Fact

• Since 2003, more than $44 billion worth of microprocessors have been manufactured and sold. The average price of a microprocessor is around $6.