The Texas Instruments TMS1000 - The First Computer on a Chip

About this Artwork This artwork is a mixed media display celebrating the Texas Instruments TMS1000 MCU (MicroComputer Unit). Texas Instruments introduced the TMS1000 in 1974.  The TMS1000 was the first MCU. The MCU is a microprocessor with ROM, RAM, and other support circuits connected together on a single silicon chip. These chips created intelligence for machines. The success of the TMS1000 is demonstrated by its 30+ year life span. The TMS1000 is found in many appliances, control systems, and games. The TMS1000’s most famous use was in the "Speak and Spell" educational toy line.  This artwork includes 3 major elements. It has a large image of a TI TMS1000 chip. On the back is a narrative describing the artwork and the TMS1000, and the artist’s signature. Also, included is a TI TMS1000 chip in a black poly resin 40 lead DIP (Dual Inline Package) package. The fully functional chip is surrounded by an enlarged diagram of the chip with the electrical signal designations for each of its