Silicon chips are everywhere. They are used in everything from planes and satellites to mobile phones and laptops, completely changing the way we live our lives. Use this BBC timeline, at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7091190.stm , to trace the explosion of the silicon chip.

Or go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7090811.stm  to look at Transistor History.

Or watch the Computer dinosaurs video at http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7090000/newsid_7097200/7097294.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&asb=1&news=1 .