Look Who it Was Random video

RCA 1800 Microprocessor Family Oral History Panel

3,027 views · Published 4 January 2018 · 2:03:39 · Indexed 8 November 2026

Channel: Computer History Museum · 2018 · Science & Technology

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Panel moderated by Richard Sanquini and Stephen Diamond on 2017-10-05 in Mountain View, CA X8354.2018 
© Computer History Museum

Beginning in 1971, RCA—through a number of interesting, extenuating circumstances—developed the first CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) microprocessor family, the 1800 Microprocessor Series. The 1800 Series enabled a number of “firsts,” most notably very low power consumption and operation down to DC. It was viewed as the most robust, highest performance per joule of energy microprocessor of the 1970/1980 era. These characteristics propelled the first commercial usage in space and under-the-hood in automobiles. In 2017, CMOS technology remains the fundamental semiconductor technology used for microprocessors. This oral history describes the birth, design, and commercialization of the 1800 Microprocessor Series and why it continues to perform in space applications, 24 years after it was launched.

* Note:  Transcripts represent what was said in the interview. However, to enhance meaning or add clarification, interviewees have the opportunity to modify this text afterward. This may result in discrepancies between the transcript and the video. Please refer to the transcript for further information - http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102740217

Visit computerhistory.org/collections/oralhistories/ for more information about the Computer History Museum's Oral History Collection.

Lot number: X8354.2018
Catalog number: 102740218

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