The Z80 family of processors began as an 8-bit microprocessor, a compatible, improvment on the Intel 8080. It was originally created by ZiLOG, Inc., and began selling in July 1976, two years before the Intel 8088. The Z80 was used and copied widely, and dominated the 8-bit market from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. Many early desktop PCs were based on it: Amstrad CPC, PCW series; Enterprise 128; Jupiter Ace; MSX; Radio Shack TRS-80; Sinclair ZX80, ZX81, ZX Spectrum; Tatung Einstein. The Z80 was not used by Apple (used MOS Technology 6502), or IBM (used Intel 8088). It saw even wider use in embedded computers, including defense systems, and is still common in these today.
More information