Microprocessor at 50: A Time to Celebrate and Energize for the Future

Lizy Kurian John, Vijaykrishnan Narayanan

Abstract: The articles in this special section focus on the history and future technological development of microprocessors. Microprocessors have become more pervasive than any other landmark invention of the entire human civilization including the wheel, in spite of arriving a few millennia later. Many pioneers who have helped shape this amazing journey of microprocessors from its birth in 1971 to its omnipresence today share their perspectives in this special issue. Industry leaders in commemorating the special anniversary are keen to continue these innovations to an even greater extent and broader societal impact. It has been a remarkable journey from a few hundred transistors to new machine learning engines that occupy an entire wafer with more than a trillion transistors. The journey has had its share of drama and intense competition, both technical and legal. However, in this issue, the entire industry has come together to celebrate this landmark event for microprocessors.