Forty-two years ago today, Intel launched the original 8086 microprocessor -- the grandfather of every x86 CPU ever built, including the ones we use now.

From the 8086 through the 186, 286, 386, 486 and various Pentium models, ... Intel's x86 microprocessor architecture has dominated large swaths of computing for three decades.

The 8086 has been around since 1978, so it’s pretty well understood. As the namesake of the prevalent x86 architecture, it’s often studied by those looking to learn more about microprocessors ...

X86 processors — from the 8086 through the 80186, 80286, 80386, ... Trying to introduce a second major microprocessor architecture was a mistake, Intel would later admit.

The 8086 has been around since 1978, so it’s pretty well understood. As the namesake of the prevalent x86 architecture, it’s often studied by those looking to learn more about microprocessors ...