Microchip art is microscopic designs left by designers on the upper layers of a chip’s surface, serving as a signature. It was accidentally discovered in 1998 and has been found on chips dating back to 1980. Some believe it could interfere with productivity, while others argue it poses no threat.
Microchip art is simply a microscopic design that is created as part of the microchip manufacturing process. Essentially, the art of microchips is the result of the time-honored tradition of microchip designers leaving an impression on the chip. This impression serves as a signature of the art created by the designer.
In real form, it is impossible to see the microchip art with the naked eye. Viewing a microchip using a microscope will reveal the presence of the fingerprint or signature. The microchip art is usually found in the upper layers of the chip surface, strategically placed in a corner of the masked chip that is not being used.
Although the creation of microchip art has been around for several years, it was only in 1998 that the general public became aware of the etchings on the surface of microchips. The discovery of microchip art was the result of an accidental discovery by Michal Davidson, a photographer. Engaged in a project to photograph the microchip’s geometric patterns, Davidson noticed what appeared to be a departure from the patterns and zoomed in for a closer look. What he found was an etching of Waldo, the subject of a then-popular series of children’s books called Where’s Waldo? Subsequent investigations of the surfaces of other microchips have yielded more examples of various impressions left by the creators of the chips.
Since 1998, many different types of microchip engravings have been found dating back as far as 1980. The reasoning behind choosing the subject for the engraving varies. In some cases, the engraving has some connection to the intended purpose of the chip. Other times, the choice of engraving has to do with the individual tastes of the designer.
Not everyone is a fan of microchip art. The equipment used to create the incisions is intended to help identify design flaws, not to decorate the microchip. Some manufacturers believe that the presence of microchip art could interfere with chip productivity, especially as chips become more sophisticated. Proponents of the microchip art argue that the etching always takes place in an area of the surface that is not used for any function, and therefore poses no threat to the efficiency of the chip.
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