HAL 'was basis for first microprocessor'

ALMOST UNNOTICED, La Intella yesterday admitted that the inspiration for the first microprocessor, the Intel 4004, was the paranoid killer computer HAL from the film 2001.

In a press release marking the 30th anniversary of the microprocessor, Intel says: "Movie-goers in 1968 were amazed and enthralled by HAL, the powerful computer in the science fiction classic "2001: A Space Odyssey." Even with that fantastic preview into the future, personal computers and the Internet were inconceivable.

"Not long after the movie was released, Intel engineer Ted Hoff developed a general-purpose logic device for a Japanese manufacturer of calculators. The device became known as the Intel 4044 microprocessor and its 1971 introduction would eventually pave the way for the personal computer and a new way of life for people worldwide."

Ralph Bond, Intel's consumer education manager, predicts even more innovation. "We're making significant progress with speech recognition and voice control for home PCs," he said. "Eventually, we may be able to speak to our PCs and have them respond instantly."

Like this?:

"Open Internet Explorer."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave."
"My name's not Dave."
"Sorry, Dave. I have the utmost confidence in the mission and I'm just contacting Microsoft to check your activation status."
"Come on, just open the browser, please."
"Sorry Dave, records show you aren't activated. I am now connecting to the fridge, iron, vacuum cleaner, bathroom scales, electric toothbrush and all the other household appliances in order to deactivate you."

µ 4004 fascinating facts
With 2,300 transistors on an area smaller than a fingernail, the Intel 4004 microprocessor packed as much computing power as ENIAC, the first electronic computer that was so large it filled a room when it was built in 1946.
Early uses for the Intel 4004 microprocessor included down-to-earth applications such as automatic traffic light controllers and blood analysers.
The 4004 provided the brainpower for NASA's Pioneer 10 Deep Space Probe.
The Pentium 4 is approximately 18,000 times more powerful than the 4004 microprocessor.

{OK, where's the other 4,000 facts then? -Ed]