Cabe Atwell writes that the Zilog Z80 is celebrating its 50th anniversary this July. Developed in 1976 by former Intel engineers, it became a dominant 8-bit processor largely due to its instruction compatibility with the existing Intel 8080 software ecosystem. This strategic design allowed manufacturers to adopt more advanced features like built-in DRAM refresh and improved interrupt systems without rewriting their entire codebases.
- Integrated into legendary hardware including Pac-Man arcade cabinets, ZX Spectrum, and TI graphing calculators.
- Launched at a competitive $25 price point to encourage mass market adoption.
- Community-driven silicon replacements are being developed following Littelfuse's cessation of Zilog orders in 2024.
- Integrated into legendary hardware including Pac-Man arcade cabinets, ZX Spectrum, and TI graphing calculators.
- Launched at a competitive $25 price point to encourage mass market adoption.
- Community-driven silicon replacements are being developed following Littelfuse's cessation of Zilog orders in 2024.
Researchers discovered long-lost computer code and used it to resurrect the early chatbot ELIZA from MIT. Named after Eliza Doolittle from 'Pygmalion,' ELIZA was developed in the 1960s by MIT professor Joseph Weizenbaum. It was designed to emulate a psychotherapist in conversation and used a unique programming language called MAD-SLIP. Rediscovered in 2021, the original code was brought back to life after 60 years, demonstrating the chatbot's functionality and highlighting the historical significance of early artificial intelligence.
