Fifty Years Ago .... from the pages of Computer Weekly

29th August 1974 computing, compiled by TNMOC volunteer archivist, Brian Aldous.

A selection of stories from Computer Weekly from 29th August 1974. The full archive of Computer Weekly can be seen at TNMOC, where there are special rolling displays of front pages from 25 and 40 years ago.

Low-cost two-chip microprocessor: A two-chip microprocessor which, the manufacturers claim, promises to be the most cost effective such system available, is to be launched next year by Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corp. Called the F8, and using Fairchild’s isoplanar technology, its minimum configuration comprises a central processor chip and a read-only memory chip, both of which include I/O ports and clock generators to reduce the need for external components. The CPU chip has 64 bytes of random-access memory and on-chip interface circuitry, which, says Fairchild, permits several functional variations to be made by software changes only, instead of the hardware changes that have to be made in other microprocessors. Likely areas of application for the F8 include point-of-sale terminals, intelligent peripherals, process controllers, major appliance controls, test and measurement equipment and communications systems. (CW 408 29/8/1974 p7)