We are all aware of the way microelectronics has changed our lives. Microprocessors with more power than the original mainframe computers infiltrate everything from cars to cooking equipment. The need to use grandchildren to sort out the method of operating audio and video equipment is well known, but will their grandchildren need to provide the same service?
I had never bothered to really consider the equipment underneath the bonnet of my car, but I was astonished to realise that carburettors had disappeared as the car, like most modern cars, is reliable and efficient. The use of computer control in many aspects of our everyday life should not make us critical of the systems of which the microprocessors are a crucial part even if the interface is sometimes badly designed.
The advances in perhaps more mundane devices should not be underestimated. The modern magnetic disk drives rely on advanced lightweight electric motors to power them, and the accompanying microelectronics ensure reliability and accuracy.
Probably the most telling applications micro lot electronics in general life must be the clock and watch industry. The quartz controlled electronic watch or clock is an example of the effect of the miniaturisation of electronics decimating a complete industry. Quartz controlled electronic clocks in discrete component circuitry would occupy a complete 19 inch rack in many applications such as carrier telephony and computer processes. Despite the size the accuracy was limited and in many cases the quartz crystal controlling the oscillator was kept in a temperature controlled oven to minimise inaccuracy. The accompanying diagram shows how the microelectronics has reduced the overall size and increase the accuracy by using a considerable number divide by two circuits. Feedback is applied at some point to produce a one pulse per second. (illustration)
