Search
  • Videos
  • 5G
  • Windows 10
  • Cloud
  • Innovation
  • Security
  • Tech Pro
  • more
    • Apple
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Log In to ZDNET
    • Join ZDNet
    • About ZDNet
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • 5G
    • Windows 10
    • Cloud
    • Innovation
    • Security
    • Tech Pro
    • Apple
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Log In to ZDNET
      • Join ZDNet
      • About ZDNet
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet China
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

Photos: Inside these chips, art awaits

3 of 10 NEXT PREV
  • Chip art: Waldo

    Chip art: Waldo

    This image of Waldo from the "Where's Waldo" children's book series was the first silicon artwork found by Silicon Zoo curator Michael Davidson.

    Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Chip art: Thor

    Chip art: Thor

    This image of Thor, god of thunder, appears in a Hewlett-Packard chip. It's drawn with an unusual method: Tiny dots appear where "via" wires extend downward through the chip to connect different layers. This is the largest chip image in the Silicon Zoo.

    Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Chip art: Marvin the Martian

    Chip art: Marvin the Martian

    Marvin the Martian appears on an image sensor chip used on the Mars rovers.

    Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Chip art: Cheetah

    Chip art: Cheetah

    This cheetah appeared in a Hewlett-Packard memory controller chip. This art was problematic: The cheetah's aluminum spots flaked off, causing short circuits elsewhere on the chip.

    Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Chip art: fine print

    Chip art: fine print

    Catchphrases appear in this chip's mock fine print, including "Keep away from fire," "Not for resale" and "No purchase necessary."

    Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Chip art: Mickey Mouse watch

    Chip art: Mickey Mouse watch

    A rendition of a Mickey Mouse watch is shown on a Mostek 5017 alarm clock chip.

    Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Chip art: sailboat

    Chip art: sailboat

    This sailboat, from a 1970s Texas Instrument chip, is the earliest example of chip artwork found so far.

    Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Photos: two-headed ram

    Photos: two-headed ram

    In a burst of symbolism, Intel engineers crafted an image of a shepherd looking after a two-headed ram. The real purpose of the Intel 8207 chip: a dual-port RAM (random access memory) controller.

    Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Chip art: Cyrillic note

    Chip art: Cyrillic note

    A chip used in Digital Equipment's MicroVax 3000 and 6200 minicomputers carries a message in Russia's Cyrillic alphabet: "VAX--when you care enough to steal the very best." The message was intended for technicians on the other side of the Cold War who might try to reverse-engineer the VAX designs by looking closely at the originals.

    Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Chip art: tiny train

    Chip art: tiny train

    A tiny train rides "tracks" that are used in charge-coupled devices to convert electrical signals into digital information.

    Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

3 of 10 NEXT PREV
  • Chip art: Waldo
  • Chip art: Thor
  • Chip art: Marvin the Martian
  • Chip art: Cheetah
  • Chip art: fine print
  • Chip art: Mickey Mouse watch
  • Chip art: sailboat
  • Photos: two-headed ram
  • Chip art: Cyrillic note
  • Chip art: tiny train

The Silicon Zoo holds plenty of surprises, from tiny trains to Marvin the Martian.

Read More Read Less

Chip art: Marvin the Martian

Marvin the Martian appears on an image sensor chip used on the Mars rovers.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:50 GMT (07:50 PDT)

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

3 of 10 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

PCs Servers Storage Networking Data Centers
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • Weird but super useful gadgets

    I seem to be someone who buys things on the off chance that they will be useful at some point down the road. Thile there are many times when it doesn't feel like this pays off, some of the ...

  • Old flames: Products that keep the retro fires burning

    It's no fun when lovers play mind games, but there's no shortage of ways to celebrate one's love of old video games, not to mention other tedh products carrying brands that once flamed ...

  • Tech that stole our heart or broke it

    With Valentine's Day around the corner, ZDNet's contributors and editors were reminded of all the technology they were infatuated with, either in their past or present, as well as ...

  • Valentine's Day gifts: Tech for lovers and friends

    If your partner or friend is tech-obsessed, we've rounded some cool items we think they'll love this Valentine's Day.

  • Last-minute tech gifts and gadgets for your Valentine

    Chocolate and flowers are not the only options this Valentine's Day.

  • Crowdfunding projects that left backers jilted at the altar

    Crowdfunding offers products such as smartwatches, smartphone accessories, and smart printers. Backing them, however, may not always be a smart move. Whether it be to malice, or ...

  • Top 12 Raspberry Pi alternatives (February 2019)

    Here is a selection of single board computers for homebrew projects and automation, with prices starting at only $5. Edited February 2019

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2019 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Cookies | Ad Choice | Advertise | Terms of Use | Mobile User Agreement

  • Topics
  • All Authors
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • Site Map
  • RSS Feeds
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In | Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums