75th anniversary of the transistor - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Ed_Dinning · 10th Nov 2021, 5:05 pm

Hi Folks, there are plans by the engineering institutions to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the transistor next year; and I'm asking if there is anyone on the forum who would like to contribute their knowledge about the early days of semiconductor production, the various materials and processes used as well as the successes and failures.

Thanks, Ed

10th Nov 2021, 5:22 pm

How things have progressed, these days you can get a reasonable computer on the same size slice as an OC71 has.

GrimJosef · 10th Nov 2021, 8:16 pm

A few years ago I came by a box of books/pamphlets etc at a boot sale (I think) which included a copy of the GEC Technical Publication the transistor, its development, its application, its advantages (see attached cover pic). It's dated August 1957 and has the reference number OV 3938.

A quick Google then, and another one just now, didn't turn up any copies of this, or even references to it, online. So for all I know it may exist only on paper.

Does anyone know if there are scanned-in copies online ? If not, would you like it Ed, with a view to scanning it in properly (my scanner's currently on the blink, I'm afraid) ?

It's 16 pages long (incl covers) and as well as the title subjects there are sections on 'How transistors work', 'How transistors are made', 'How transistors are used', 'Transistors today' and 'Problems of manufacture'. It says inside This publication is intended mainly for students of physics, or electronic engineering, but should prove of interest to all those who have been puzzled by the term "transistor" and seek some degree of enlightenment. I would say it's pitched more at the public than at specialists.

Cheers,

GJ

Ed_Dinning · 10th Nov 2021, 9:12 pm

Thanks GJ, I'll see if any scans turn up that can be used first.

Ba;lance of opinion was that most of the people involved were in the US, but Mullard/ Philips, GEC, AEI and many others did lots of work on these devices as well as earlier work on semiconductor diodes.
I think I shall have to do some research within the pages of Electronic Engineering

Cheers, Ed

MotorBikeLes · 10th Nov 2021, 10:29 pm

I have a coloured Mullard document we were given at tech back in the early '60's which I could probably find if it would be of any use. Well after the period of the "origin" though.
Les.

Ed_Dinning · 10th Nov 2021, 10:53 pm

Thanks Les, but I think I have that one in my collection.

Ed

Cruisin Marine · 10th Nov 2021, 10:55 pm

I have a lovely American book relating to this called "The Transistor Radio Handbook" by Staner and Earnshaw - Theory, Circuitry, Equipment from 1963.

Credits are given to may large companies including:
Allied Radio, Lafayette, Irving Electronics, Miller and Co, Stancor, Amperex, Motorola, Int Rectifier, Philco, RCA, Texas and a few more.

This book still rocks and is a great way to refresh one's mind of the pure basics of it all in such a clear and concise and practical manner.
I only got this by pure accident a few month's back.
I dunno' if it is on-line, but a smashing read.

10th Nov 2021, 5:05 pm	#1
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	75th anniversary of the transistor Hi Folks, there are plans by the engineering institutions to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the transistor next year; and I'm asking if there is anyone on the forum who would like to contribute their knowledge about the early days of semiconductor production, the various materials and processes used as well as the successes and failures. Thanks, Ed

10th Nov 2021, 5:22 pm	#2
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: 75th anniversary of the transistor How things have progressed, these days you can get a reasonable computer on the same size slice as an OC71 has.

10th Nov 2021, 8:16 pm	#3
GrimJosef Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,311	Re: 75th anniversary of the transistor A few years ago I came by a box of books/pamphlets etc at a boot sale (I think) which included a copy of the GEC Technical Publication the transistor, its development, its application, its advantages (see attached cover pic). It's dated August 1957 and has the reference number OV 3938. A quick Google then, and another one just now, didn't turn up any copies of this, or even references to it, online. So for all I know it may exist only on paper. Does anyone know if there are scanned-in copies online ? If not, would you like it Ed, with a view to scanning it in properly (my scanner's currently on the blink, I'm afraid) ? It's 16 pages long (incl covers) and as well as the title subjects there are sections on 'How transistors work', 'How transistors are made', 'How transistors are used', 'Transistors today' and 'Problems of manufacture'. It says inside This publication is intended mainly for students of physics, or electronic engineering, but should prove of interest to all those who have been puzzled by the term "transistor" and seek some degree of enlightenment. I would say it's pitched more at the public than at specialists. Cheers, GJ Attached Thumbnails __________________ http://www.ampregen.com

10th Nov 2021, 9:12 pm	#4
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: 75th anniversary of the transistor Thanks GJ, I'll see if any scans turn up that can be used first. Ba;lance of opinion was that most of the people involved were in the US, but Mullard/ Philips, GEC, AEI and many others did lots of work on these devices as well as earlier work on semiconductor diodes. I think I shall have to do some research within the pages of Electronic Engineering Cheers, Ed

10th Nov 2021, 10:29 pm	#5
MotorBikeLes Nonode Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kirk Michael, Isle of Man Posts: 2,350	Re: 75th anniversary of the transistor I have a coloured Mullard document we were given at tech back in the early '60's which I could probably find if it would be of any use. Well after the period of the "origin" though. Les.

10th Nov 2021, 10:53 pm	#6
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: 75th anniversary of the transistor Thanks Les, but I think I have that one in my collection. Ed

10th Nov 2021, 10:55 pm	#7
Cruisin Marine Heptode Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 986	Re: 75th anniversary of the transistor I have a lovely American book relating to this called "The Transistor Radio Handbook" by Staner and Earnshaw - Theory, Circuitry, Equipment from 1963. Credits are given to may large companies including: Allied Radio, Lafayette, Irving Electronics, Miller and Co, Stancor, Amperex, Motorola, Int Rectifier, Philco, RCA, Texas and a few more. This book still rocks and is a great way to refresh one's mind of the pure basics of it all in such a clear and concise and practical manner. I only got this by pure accident a few month's back. I dunno' if it is on-line, but a smashing read.