The Microprocessor, a small chip, allows computers to do things they never could have been intended to do with with transistors or silicon boards alone. Microprocessors allow computers think more quickly, and think more powerful thoughts. It made computers much faster, and allowed them to do more powerful things. The Microprocessor was invented in 1971 using integrated circuit technology all of which is still used today.

For information on how they work with other parts of a computer so that the computer can work, visit the "How Does it Work?" section.