this post was submitted on 16 Nov 2025
85 points (94.7% liked)

retrocomputing

5599 readers
204 users here now

Discussions on vintage and retrocomputing

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
SDF@lemmy.sdf.org
cognitivegears@lemmy.sdf.org
Penkster@lemmy.sdf.org
85
The MP944 was the ‘real’ world’s first microprocessor, but it was top secret for nearly 30 years — F-14 Tomcat's chip lived in the shadow of the Intel 4004, but was eight times faster (www.tomshardware.com)
submitted 8 hours ago by cm0002@libretechni.ca to c/retrocomputing@lemmy.sdf.org
12 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

For a long time, what is now considered to be a prime candidate for the title of the ‘world’s first microprocessor’ was a very well-kept secret for nearly 30 years. The MP944 is the inauspicious name of the chip we want to highlight today. It was developed to be the brains behind the U.S. Navy’s F-14 Tomcat’s Central Air Data Computer (CADC). Thus, it isn’t surprising that the MP944 was a cut above the Intel 4004, the world’s first commercial microprocessor, which was designed to power a desktop calculator.

all 13 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] asmoranomar@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

I wonder if it classifies as a general purpose microprocessor. It's common to see very specialized chips run faster than a typical CPU, but you're not going to run a consumer OS on it (if an OS at all). Even then, you'd sometimes need dedicated math coprocessors even if you had a CPU back then. It would be fascinating if it was true, cause that would likely mean it's also the world's first chip with an integrated math co-processor (IIRC)

Edit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-14_CADC

It is a general purpose microprocessor. Nice. Doesn't look like the co-processors were integrated. But a very impressive piece of hardware.

[–] wjrii@lemmy.world 23 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

[–] DrFistington@lemmy.world 10 points 7 hours ago (5 children)

This is awesome. also makes me wonder what's powering the newest generation of fighter jets

[–] tuff_wizard@aussie.zone 18 points 6 hours ago

Knowing military spending goals and aviation regulations, probably 10 of the same chip

[–] CovfefeKills@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago

They have chips with water channels cut into the die itself for 1000w/square inch compared to commercial data center chips that can do 300w/square inch.

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

It's a different time, probably normal civilian chips to hitch onto the massive industry that now exists. Kind of like how I'd guess the F-14 airframe was made of normal metal instead of something new they invented.

The radar and EWAR-related hardware, on the other hand, might not just be off the shelf.

[–] jqubed@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Unless they’re seeing actual benefits for a neural processing unit, I’d guess you’re right about the processors. The ISS runs on 386 processors and those were a surprisingly outdated choice in that era. Even with the advanced flight characteristics of a modern fighter, I’d guess they don’t really need the power modern chips are capable of offering.

But yeah, the radars and other sensors? Certainly not off-the-shelf for flagship aircraft.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago

I thought NASA was well stocked with 486 CPUs? Quite a cut about the 386! (I know the ISS is not all NASA.) In any case, the wide wires make for less bit flipping. :)

[–] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 4 points 7 hours ago

Bioneural gel pacs

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org 2 points 6 hours ago

your mom/j