The Signetics 8X300 - The Interpreter

The Signetics 8X300 - The Interpreter

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 celebrating the Signetics 8X300. Originally developed by Scientific Micro Systems as the SMS300, Signetics acquired rights to the chip and became its primary supplier. Signetics marketed it as the 8X300 Interpreter. The 8X300 was designed as an 8-bit high-speed bipolar Harvard architecture processor.

The 8X300 included in this artwork is an 50-pin CerDIP package. The SigneticsN8X300I is surrounded by an enlarged diagram of the chip with the electrical signal designations for each of its leads. The artwork includes a narrative on the microprocessor 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 Excerpt:

"...The 8X300 was not an interpreter in the complier/interpreter sense, but did have some unusual instruction execution characteristics. The 8X300 was designed as a controller from the beginning. Signetics acquired the rights to produce the 8X300, which rounded out its product line. Signetics already had their own microprocessor, the 2650. Also, Signetics had the rights to the Intel 3002/1 bit-slice microprocessor. The 8X300 provided a strong solution for controlling and interfacing applications...."

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: