Happy Birthday to the Transistor

[w1tdp]

Where would we be without it?

SAN JOSE, California (AP) -- Sixty years after transistors were invented and nearly five decades since they were first integrated into silicon chips, the tiny on-off switches dubbed the "nerve cells" of the information age are starting to show their age.

Full Story Here:
http://www.cnn.com/2007....ex.html (http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/12/16/transistor.anniversary.ap/index.html)

[KC9JIQ]

We would all be using TUBES and adjusting our plate voltages!!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

and we would not have the OM complain nets about how pathetic trasistors sound.

[K9STH]

Actually, it is the junction type of transistor that was invented in 1947. The field effect transistor was "invented" (really "discovered") in the late 1910s or early 1920s. It was known as an "amplifying crystal" and how to make them was outlined in a number of magazine articles during the 1920s.

It was the fact that the manufacturing techniques were not available to produce the "amplifying crystal" commercially that the FET was not in general use by the 1930s.

Glen, K9STH

[KA8DKT]

Quote[/b] (K9STH @ Dec. 16 2007,14:03)]Actually, it is the junction type of transistor that was invented in 1947. #The field effect transistor was "invented" (really "discovered") in the late 1910s or early 1920s. #It was known as an "amplifying crystal" and how to make them was outlined in a number of magazine articles during the 1920s.

It was the fact that the manufacturing techniques were not available to produce the "amplifying crystal" commercially that the FET was not in general use by the 1930s.

Glen, K9STH
It is my understanding that they were looking for a field effect device when they happened upon the junction transistor. #By the way, it was first demonstrated in late August and early September 1947.

If it is "amplifying crystals" that you are looking for, try this audio amp circuit that uses no tubes or transistors: Link to No-Transistor Amp (http://electronicdesign.com/Articles/Print.cfm?ArticleID=3979)

-gary

[W1GUH]

Aw, this new-fangled solid state nonsense will never catch on! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KW4MW]

I recall going through tech school in the '60's when most electronics was still tube based. # Transistors were of the single unit NPN or PNP type (e b c) and what were called integrated circuits were actually a few connected components potted in a plastic cube designed to be mounted on a circuit board. #

One of our instructors, a grizzled old vet working under contract with Phillips declared that "those three legged fuses are a passing fade and they'll never replace tubes". #

He was wrong.

[KC7UP]

My first introduction to transistors was in 1955 building a 5 transistor knight kit radio.
Curt