The first CPU (Central Processing Unit) was invented by Intel. The Intel 4004, released in 1971, is considered the first commercially available microprocessor. It was designed by a team led by Federico Faggin, Marcian Hoff, and Stanley Mazor.
The Intel 4004 was a 4-bit CPU and was initially developed for a Japanese calculator company called Busicom. It marked the beginning of the microprocessor revolution, paving the way for the modern computers we use today.
Before the invention of the CPU, computers were built using multiple integrated circuits, which made them large and expensive. The introduction of the CPU allowed for the integration of multiple functions into a single chip, making computers smaller, more powerful, and more affordable.