12) [1103] - The Chip Heard Around the World

  
The chip pattern of the world’s first 1k-bit MOS DRAM, [1103], manufactured by Intel in the USA in 1970

As semiconductor memory advanced and evolved, the product that made a huge impact around the world was the world’s first 1k-bit MOS DRAM, [1103] developed by Intel in 1970.

The company was an R&D-oriented company founded by both R. Noyce and G. Moore after spinning out from Fairchild in 1968, and the first products which they worked on were memory chips in 1969, one year after establishing the new company. They were a 64-bit bipolar type memory [3101] and a 256-bit MOS type SRAM [1101] though they did not reach mass production.

As for the [1103], it was the world's first dynamic MOS type memory with kilobit level capacity, and was able to compete effectively with magnetic memory for just the price of 10USD. Computer makers who had uncertainty about the chip at the beginning decided to adopt them as main storage devices in one year, and Intel started its mass production in 1972.

In early 1971, Noyce came to Japan, carrying the new product with him. “Denshi-Zairyou (Electronic Material)” magazine held a discussion session surrounding him (which was published in the April issue of that year).

Although Japanese attendees basically expressed their understanding of the novelty and innovation of semiconductor memory while doubting the possibility of practical application, Noyce passionately explained to them.

”By changing memory into LSI, not only will it contribute to high speed and high reliability, but also memory with large capacity can be made easily, and costs will be lower than any other products before. If you supply good and cheap products, the market for this will definitely grow, and we can surely overcome existing magnetic products. "

At that time, Noyce predicted the cost per bit according to the increase in capacity, but actually, the cost reduction has progressed faster than his prediction. (Provided by Intel USA)

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