Microprocessor history According to common textbook timelines, in which year was the first widely adopted 8-bit microprocessor introduced to the market (for example, the Intel 8080 era)?

Introduction / Context:
The evolution from 4-bit to 8-bit microprocessors marked a major leap for early personal computing and embedded systems. Recognizing the timeline helps contextualize software tools, instruction sets, and system buses of the period.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• “First widely adopted 8-bit microprocessor” commonly refers to the Intel 8080 generation used in many early microcomputer kits.
• The question aligns with conventional academic timelines rather than an exhaustive historical list.
• Other 8-bit devices existed around the same era, but 8080 catalyzed broader adoption.

Concept / Approach:
Associate key processor releases with their years. The Intel 8080 was introduced in 1974 and rapidly became the CPU of choice for early hobbyist and commercial systems, paving the way for Zilog Z80 and MOS 6502 later in the decade. Earlier, Intel 8008 (1972) was also 8-bit, but 8080 is typically cited in introductory courses as the landmark for “first mainstream 8-bit.”

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical summaries of early micros: 4004 (1971, 4-bit), 8008 (1972, 8-bit), 8080 (1974, 8-bit, widely adopted), 8085 (1976), 8086 (1978).

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 1969: Pre-microprocessor era.
• 1979/1985: Later generations (for example, 8088-based PCs and beyond).

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing earliest 8-bit (8008 in 1972) with the commonly cited “first widely adopted 8-bit,” which many curricula attribute to 8080 in 1974.

Final Answer:
1974