IN 1965, GORDON Moore, one of the founders of Intel, predicted that the number of transistors that can be cost-effectively packed into a chip would double every two years.
What does that mean?
Basically, the more transistors on a chip, the more powerful the chip becomes. That’s why computers have become exponentially faster and smaller over the past few decades.
Here’s what Intel says 50 years of Moore’s Law looks like:
https://vine.co/v/ezL3K5QA7F5
Marking 50 years of Moore’s Law, Intel says the lasting impacts of the law are still being felt in our every day lives.
Intel said that Moore’s observation transformed computing from a “rare and expensive venture into a pervasive and affordable necessity”.
All of the modern computing technology we know and enjoy sprang from the foundation laid by Moore’s Law. From the Internet itself, to social media and modern data analytics, all these innovations stem directly from Moore and his findings.
By making computing so inexpensive, it has transformed the way we work, play and communicate. Intel states:
The foundational force of Moore’s Law has driven breakthroughs in modern cities, transportation, healthcare, education, and energy production. In fact, it’s quite difficult to envision what our modern world might be like without Moore’s Law.
For a very long time, Moore’s estimate has been incredibly accurate. Because of how semiconductors work, the smaller transistors produced over time inherently used less power while running faster.
Until the early 2000s, that is. That’s when transistors started to become so small and densely packed together that it became difficult for engineers to pack more in and still dissipate enough heat to keep them from burning out.
Intel said that moving on from Moore’s law, privacy and security are persistent and growing concerns for the future.
But the benefits of ever smarter, ubiquitous computing technology, learning to anticipate our needs, can keep us healthier, safer, and more productive in the long run.
Fortune Magazine states that Moore’s Law could cease to exist in a few years time, stating there are “tell-tale signs that it is becoming outdated and could cease to hold within the decade”.
Additional reporting Business Insider
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say