Electronicdesign 20269 Transistor Promo 896896854
Electronicdesign 20269 Transistor Promo 896896854
Electronicdesign 20269 Transistor Promo 896896854
Electronicdesign 20269 Transistor Promo 896896854
Electronicdesign 20269 Transistor Promo 896896854

Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Transistor

Jan. 10, 2018
We take a look back at a device that overwhelmingly changed the electronics industry and our lives.

As of Dec. 23, 2017, the transistor was officially 70 years old. The invention of the transistor may have been the greatest technology development of the 20th century. It has given us the integrated circuit and its progeny computers, TVs, smartphones, and all the other electronic stuff we use every day. We probably all owe our jobs to the invention of the transistor. So let’s take a moment to think about and celebrate this one monumental discovery.

The various historical records say that the transistor was invented Dec. 23, 1947 at AT&T’s Bell Laboratories by scientists William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain. On that day, they demonstrated transistor amplification with a point contact transistor. That transistor type was difficult to make. Shockley followed up with the invention of the bipolar junction transistor (BJT). Practical transistors came about quickly and rapid developments thereafter eventually lead to the integrated circuit (IC) and of course the microprocessor. The rest is history as many of us have experienced it.

The transistor was invented Dec. 23, 1947 at AT&T’s Bell Laboratories by scientists William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain.

The first transistor ever conceived was actually a field effect transistor (FET), the brainchild of Julius Lilenfeld in 1926 that was quickly patented. Later Oskar Heil put forth the same idea in 1934. Neither man actually produced a working device. That’s why the Bell Lab guys got all the credit, including a Nobel Prize in 1956. Shockley ultimately quit Bell Labs and moved to California to start a company making transistors. His company and the subsequent spin-offs started the semiconductor business. The transistor then begat the integrated circuit, which has given us everything electronic.

There have been many developments and patents in the meantime, too many to chronicle here. But the highlights of the transistor’s history and related developments are briefly summarized in the timeline below.

We have undoubtedly reached the physical limit for downsizing transistors. At the 5 nm manufacturing node, the gate size approaches that of the atoms and molecules. We simply cannot get any smaller thereby negating Moore’s.

So what’s next?

Sponsored Recommendations

Understanding Thermal Challenges in EV Charging Applications

March 28, 2024
As EVs emerge as the dominant mode of transportation, factors such as battery range and quicker charging rates will play pivotal roles in the global economy.

Board-Mount DC/DC Converters in Medical Applications

March 27, 2024
AC/DC or board-mount DC/DC converters provide power for medical devices. This article explains why isolation might be needed and which safety standards apply.

Use Rugged Multiband Antennas to Solve the Mobile Connectivity Challenge

March 27, 2024
Selecting and using antennas for mobile applications requires attention to electrical, mechanical, and environmental characteristics: TE modules can help.

Out-of-the-box Cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity with AWS IoT ExpressLink

March 27, 2024
This demo shows how to enroll LTE-M and Wi-Fi evaluation boards with AWS IoT Core, set up a Connected Health Solution as well as AWS AT commands and AWS IoT ExpressLink security...

Comments

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Electronic Design, create an account today!