Fourth Generation

Background
Though integrated circuits were another big step forward in computer development, the chips had the key weakness that they were hardwired for specific jobs. It was Hoff who designed the first microprocessor (Intel 4004), which was a very large integrated circuit designed to run conventional computer programs, thus acting as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), which could handle many tasks. The invention of microprocessors lead to the development of desk top computers.

Marcian E. (Ted) Hoff
Ted Hoff earned his Ph. D in 1962 at Stanford. In 1968 he interviewed for the job at Intel at Robert Noyce's home in 1968. Hoff was the twelfth employee to join Intel. In 1969 he was asked to design a set of chips for a Japanese calculator manufacturer. Hoff instead of using the design which asked for 12 custom chips, built the first general purpose microprocessor.

Across Generations
William Shockley whose transistor originally designed in 1947, lead to the 2nd generation of computers, was the man who hired Robert Noyce who built one of the first ICs in 1958, the building block for 3rd generation computers. At Intel Robert Noyce oversaw Ted Hoff's invention of the microprocessor in 1970, the 4th generation of computers.