Intel built on an earlier Busicom design from 1969 .
Intel introduced the first commercial microprocessor , the 4 - bit Intel 4004 , in 1971 , followed by its 8 - bit microprocessor 8008 in 1972 .
Building on an earlier Busicom design from 1969 , Intel introduced the first commercial microprocessor , the 4 - bit Intel 4004 , in 1971 , followed by its 8 - bit microprocessor 8008 in 1972 .