From Calculators to AI Chips: 130 Years

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This chart is a breathtaking look at 130 years of exponential progress — from mechanical calculators to cutting-edge AI chips. It visualizes Moore’s Law in action, showing how computing power has skyrocketed while costs dropped. Each era — mechanical, relay, vacuum tube, transistor, and integrated circuit — marks a massive leap forward.

What this chart reveals

  • Computing power doubles roughly every two years, even after 130 years.
  • Transitions between technologies (like vacuum tubes to transistors) create explosive growth spurts.
  • The move to GPUs and ASICs signals a new chapter driven by AI and data processing needs.
  • Exponential curves don’t just continue — they accelerate with innovation.

Companies riding this exponential wave

NVIDIA logo

NVIDIA continues to push Moore’s Law through its GPUs, enabling breakthroughs in AI and deep learning.

Tesla logo

Tesla designs custom AI chips that outperform general-purpose processors for autonomous driving.

Google logo

Google builds Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) specifically for accelerating machine learning.

Creative Variations

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