The Birth of the Computer Motherboard: A Journey Back to 1981

In 1981, an IBM engineer named Patty McHugh crafted the very first motherboard, affectionately known as the “Planar Breadboard.” This unpretentious piece of hardware found its home in the original IBM Personal Computer (PC). Imagine it—a compact, unadorned board with chips soldered together, housing the CPU, RAM, and other essential components.

Today, our sleek, feature-packed motherboards owe their existence to that humble Planar Breadboard. They power our gaming rigs, workstations, and creative endeavors. So, next time you boot up your PC, tip your hat to Patty McHugh—the unsung hero behind the motherboard revolution.

Fact

Did you Know?

The first commercially available CPU (Central Processing Unit), the Intel 4004, was released in 1971. It had a clock speed of 740 kHz and was capable of processing around 92,000 instructions per second!

CPUs are not just found in computers and smartphones. They’re also used in various everyday devices, including cars, kitchen appliances, and even some household robots. These embedded CPUs handle specific tasks to enhance functionality and efficiency.