Intel is one of the most recognized and successful names in semiconductor computer chips.   Although Intel was founded in 1968, the corporation did not begin to gain rapid growth until the 1980s by supplying microprocessors to IBM and other personal computer makers.  In the 1990s, Intel took another large step forward and became a public name, thanks to a clever ad campaign and its new Pentium chip.

On this day, March 22nd, in 1993, the first Pentium chips are shipped by the Intel Corporation. The Pentium chip featured 60 MHz clock speed, a 64 bit data path and 100+ MIPS.  The Pentium chip was capable, but became a household name as a result of the “intel Inside” marketing campaign that began in the early 1990s.  The original Pentium chip was so successful that the Pentium brand continue for several generations of processors.

Intel has released several successful processors under the Pentium name, including: the Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, Pentium 4, Pentium D, Pentium M, and the Pentium Dual Core.  The Pentium brand was briefly discontinued in 2006, but promptly returned in 2007 as a need for mid-range dual-core processors emerged.