New Scientist Poll votes microprocessors as top discovery

A New Scientist poll has voted the microprocessor as the discovery that has had the greatest impact on the world over the last fifty years. Nearly half (48%) of all the votes cast in the prestigious magazine's survey were in favour of the revolutionary piece of technology that lies at the heart of all computers, putting it in top position ahead of the World Wide Web which scored 31% of the votes. The Science and Technology Facilities Council's Microelectronics Support Centre has been key to the growth in microelectronics design by supporting commercial design tool software used by microelectronics design engineers in universities, helping to produce highly trained, highly skilled graduates for UK and European design companies. More than six hundred universities across Europe rely on services from STFC’s Microelectronics Support Centre (MSC).

Nigel Shadbolt, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Southampton championed the microprocessor in the poll saying; 'If the modern era can be transformed by one technology it is the microprocessor. This is the device that is responsible for the modern age of computing and all that goes with it'.

Computers have changed dramatically since their inception, developing from huge very expensive machines which used enormous amounts of power, to tiny electronic circuits known as microprocessors which can essentially perform the same tasks. STFC's Microelectronics Support Centre has made a huge contribution to these advancements, working with twenty of the world's leading microelectronics and microsystems companies to make advanced design tool software available to the academic community at a low cost.

Dr John Mclean, head of the Microelectronics Support Centre said; "The microprocessor has had a huge impact upon society over the past fifty years, providing the miniaturised processing power in the heart of thousands of everyday products. Modern microelectronics design is complex and constantly changing so few universities can support and maintain their own dedicated support system. The MSC therefore provides a vital resource and infrastructure to universities and research institutes and has done for more than 20 years".

Contact: Lucy Stone
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STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Tel: +44 (0)1235 445 627
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