In the 1940s, computers took up entire buildings, but today, cell phone computers are much more powerful, efficient, and smaller than the machines of the 1940s. This evolution of computer and other electronic devices can be attributed to the invention of the integrated circuit. These are also commonly called "microchips" and have been refined since their invention to become smaller and more powerful. Integrated circuits are one of the greatest inventions of the last century due to their profound influence on technology through the miniaturization and optimization of electronics. To understand the monumental influence of integrated circuits in technology, one must understand what type of technology society had before. Many computers in the 1950s used what are called vacuum tubes. These tubes were used to control electrical signals, but they were large (about the size of a cell phone), sometimes unreliable, and consumed a lot of power. Next came transistors (the size of a coin), which greatly reduced the size of electronic components because they could fit onto circuit boards, making computers more readily available, but those circuit boards still had to be assembled manually. The creation of integrated circuits was a vast improvement over other printed circuit boards and these small chips led to giant technological advancements. One of the most important reasons why integrated circuits are so essential to technology is the process by which they are manufactured. Integrated circuits are typically printed on pure silicon wafers. These wafers are made by “growing” silicon dioxide on a wafer. The chips are then stacked and doped. Doping is used to change the conductivity of silicon by implanting ions. These chips are made up of many pieces of paper......accessible more easily than ever. In fact, integrated circuits have somehow helped improve life in our world in countless ways. Everyone living on Earth today, whether they realize it or not, has been affected by these fleas. Who knew something so small could have such a big impact on technology and our lives. Works Cited “Computer”. Wikipedia. October 6, 2007. October 7, 2007, “How Chips Are Made.” Intel. October 7, 2007. “Integrated circuit.” Wikipedia. October 7, 2007. October 7, 2007 “Transistor”. Wikipedia. October 7, 2007. October 7, 2007, “Vacuum tube.” Wikipedia. October 5, 2007. October 7. 2007 .