Recommend these great posts with technical detail and history:
https://www.righto.com/2020/06/a-look-at-die-of-8086-processor.html https://www.reenigne.org/blog/8086-microcode-disassembled/ https://www.righto.com/2022/11/how-8086-processors-microcode-engine.html
If ever there was a textbook example of a temporary solution becoming permanent then 8086 must be it:
"Because the iAPX 432 was behind schedule, Intel decided in 1976 that they needed a simple, stop-gap processor to sell until the iAPX 432 was ready. Intel rapidly designed the 8086 as a 16-bit processor somewhat compatible with the 8-bit 8080, released in 1978."
45 years later, https://justine.lol/ape.html says:
"Outside phones routers mainframes and cars, the consensus surrounding x86 is so strong, that I'd compare it to the Tower of Babel."
Kind regards and happy holidays
//Peter
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Peter Stuge