A homomorphic FPGA implementation of the Intel 4004 — Part 1

Exactly 50 years ago, Intel revolutionized the computing industry with the launch of the Intel 4004, the world's first commercial microprocessor, which laid the foundation for modern smart and connected devices. The article reflects on the history of the 4004's development, its technical specifications, and its impact on computing, while also discussing an initiative by Zama to create a homomorphic processor inspired by the 4004 to evaluate programs on encrypted data, potentially enhancing data security in cloud computing. This involves adapting the original design to modern technology, aiming to achieve similar speeds and functionality with the benefits of contemporary advancements. The piece highlights the evolution of microprocessors, referencing Moore's Law and the shift toward increasing core numbers rather than clock frequency to boost performance, and it details the MCS-4 family of chips, which were initially developed for calculators but became integral to computing history. The blog post is the first in a series commemorating the 4004's 50th anniversary, reflecting on the past to inform future technological developments while also mentioning other projects and resources related to the 4004, such as Intel's 2006 schematic release and various emulators and add-ons that continue to celebrate and explore this pioneering technology.