Prototype of the First Microchip Going Up for Auction and Expected to Fetch Over $1 Million

Microchip

I always love writing these types of stories about how much a particular item is going to go for at an auction, whether it’s a ridiculous rare stamp or a gorgeous, red Ferrari. The item that will soon be going on auction this time is an early prototype of the first microchip built by Jack Kilby, and it is expected to fetch over $1 million when it’s auctioned off at the Christie’s Auction House later today.

Kilby created the the integrated circuit when he was working at Texas Instruments back in 1958, which was the same year that he, along with Robert Noyce, initially displayed a functioning integrated circuit that combines multiple electronic functions on a single slab. Most of the time, that “single slab” is silicon, but back during 1958, Kilby used germanium for their demonstration. Kilby and his team eventually won a Nobel prize for all of their work  with IC in 2000.

Integrated circuit, or IC, is essentially responsible for all the technology we use today. Our smartphones, tablets, and laptops, but even our televisions, microwaves, and cars are all filled with microchips,, and let’s be honest, we take that fact, all the hard work that has gone into these devices, for granted.

The fact this was such an extensive project that has ended up impacting our lives so greatly nowadays, along with the fact that this is essentially the first microchip that was ever created, is why auctioneers are projecting this specific item to go for between $1-2 million. So if you plan on trying to purchase the microchip at today’s auction, I’d make sure to bring your cheek book with you.

Photo via Engadget

Written by Chris King

Chris has been writing for TVOvermind, Uncoached, and Worthly for two years and has written about numerous different television shows, news events, and pop culture topics. He is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, where he majored in English and Film. Contact him through Twitter (@ckinger13).