INTEL 4004 1st processor in the history almost 50 years ago

thingiverse

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! You're here because you have a 3D printer, and you're searching for printable files. Those machines exist thanks to the genius of a man named Fredrico Faggin, who designed the first microprocessor almost 50 years ago. In 1970, Mr. Faggin created the Intel 4004, a 4-bit processor that fits inside this tiny DIP 16 box. Can you believe it? Just 25 years before, a calculator of similar power required an astonishing 30 tons of equipment and took up 167 square meters of space! Your printer is here because Mr. Faggin's design paved the way for microcomputers like the Intel 8080, with its 8-bit architecture. I saw some amazing pictures online of a ceramic version with gold legs and visible circuits underneath, and I thought it would be fantastic to create a large-scale 4004 replica at a 10:1 scale. This project is relatively simple, and you can print the entire thing over a weekend. The result will be an impressive model that's sure to spark conversations about Mr. Faggin's incredible achievement. To achieve this look, I recommend printing the top of the circuit on a mirror-smooth surface, preferably with a glossy finish. Then, use scotchbrite to remove any shine and create a more realistic ceramic appearance. The same technique applies to the gold cover and legs, which should be printed with the visible side facing up. For the black letters, I suggest using the same print settings as the rest of the model. Don't glue the grey circuit onto the white top plate – it's not necessary, and you'll end up with an unsightly seam. Instead, use a bit of glue to attach all the parts together, and you'll be left with a stunning replica of this historical marvel. Since I didn't have access to interior design data, you can add whatever you like inside the model – money, keys, chocolates, or even cigarettes! If you want to take it to the next level, consider adding some lights to make the model glow in the dark. Amber LEDs would be a great choice, as they complement the gold finish nicely. When I posted this design, I realized that the main body had a slight difference in the index area. To fix this, I updated three parts – if you want these new versions, simply print the "index V2" parts. I hope you enjoy this tribute to Mr. Faggin, the father of the first microprocessor! If you're interested in learning more about the 4004, check out these resources: * A YouTube video explaining the 4004: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVD5qKIY6ZM * Listen to Mr. Faggin himself introduce the 4004 at 22:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j00AULJLCNo * The 4004 Wikipedia page, with a detailed history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_4004 I'm also planning to design a 8008 version to celebrate the first 8-bit architecture microprocessor and its impact on modern computing. Stay tuned!