Generations of Microprocessing

Generations of Micrprocessing

40 Years of Chip Math Technology

ChipScapesTM Historical Series

Production:

Limited edition size of 50 (production will be limited by availability of chips)

Full Artwork
(Click picture for larger image)

Mixed Media:

11"x14" digital photograph. Archival photo papers and inks are used. Chips and other specimens are mounted with threads and/or acid free adhesives.

Framing:

The artwork is framed in an 11"x14" black wood shadow box frame, with glass, using suspension framing techniques. All framing materials are acid free. A narrative about the artwork that includes the artist’s signature is placed on the back of the artwork.

About this Artwork:

You are bidding on a mixed media artwork that marks the progression of computing using integrated circuits. The artwork begins with 1-bit addition circuits (7 transitors) and ends with 64-bit microprocessors (230 million transistors). It spans almost 40 years of chip math technology. The microprocessor chips used in this artwork are collectible and some are very rare. This is a list of the microprocessors used in this piece:

The artwork includes narratives on each of the microprocessors in the display. Also a general narrative is on the back, which provides some historical context, information about the artwork, and the artist's signature.

General Information:

These artworks are the creation of ChipScapesTM artist Steve Emery. ChipScapesTM are photographs taken of computer chips, boards, and other computer artifacts. They are sort of chip landscapes, or ChipScapesTM for short. Most often a macro-lens or microscope is used with special lightning to achieve these unique artworks.

This artwork is part of the ChipScapesTM Historical Series dedicated to preserving and sharing chips that changed the world. ChipScapesTM are great collectibles or gifts for the technology savvy.

Close-up Study

Narrative Excerpts:

"Chips have evolved from doing simple addition of two bits to complex mathematical operations on 64-bit numbers. The chips in this display track the progress from logic chip adders to true microprocessors. The most important criteria for determining the bits of a microprocessor is the size of the accumulator, or general purpose registers. Second is the size of the data path, and third is the address space size. As an example, if all are 16-bits in size, then the device is called a 16-bit microprocessor. If it is a mix, well, the controversy starts..."

Reverse Side

Questions?

For more information about ChipScapesTM, please click on the following links that will take you to my ChipScapes website www.ChipScapes.com: