Computing · 1978
Wafer stepper
A machine that exposes chip patterns one die at a time.
GCA's DSW 4800 projected a reduced mask image onto each die in turn, allowing much finer features. Steppers and scanners have been the central tool of chip fabrication since.
What it built on 1
What it led to 2
Related measurements
The dashed line marks when it first worked.
Transistors per microprocessor Latest: 58.2B transistors (2021) Source: Our World in Data