Last Updated
March 22, 2016.
The Transistor Museum™ Store has
been established to provide an easily accessible (and affordable) source of
unique and historic transistors, diodes and integrated circuits from the
early days of this exciting technology. Use the table below to explore
what’s available and to compare the different types. In each case, you’ll
find a link which will take you to more details about the specific museum
offering and how to purchase. To aid historians, experimenters, hobbyists
and anyone else interested in learning about transistors, each Transistor
Museum™ device is supplied with historical information including circuits,
technical description and photos. The Museum Store will soon be expanding
as we add many more unique and historically important semiconductors of all
types. In addition, every device that you purchase will now include a
Transistor Museum™ Historic Semiconductor Fact Sheet, which is a full
page-sized document containing a collection of useful facts, pictures and
commentary about the specific device. You won’t find anything like this
elsewhere, and you’ll likely spend many rewarding hours reviewing this
unique material and learning about semiconductor history.
See all the historic
semiconductors in the store below. If you’d like to place an order or have
any questions, please contact us at
transistormuseum@aol.com
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This kit is one of a continuing series of
semiconductor research and collecting kits developed by the Transistor
Museum. The Historic Semiconductors Research and Collecting Kit provides
comprehensive technical descriptions, historical commentary and timelines,
and photographs of the famous diodes, transistors and integrated circuits
that were first developed in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and which have had
such a profound effect on the world of today’s electronics. This wealth of
research information should be of great interest and value to the
modern-day historian, engineer, researcher and electronics hobbyist. Also
included in this unique Transistor Museum kit are 50 vintage, historic and
collectable mid-20th century semiconductors, all documented with key data
and photographs.
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History
of Transistors
Volume
1
If you are an Historian, Engineer, Experimenter,
Researcher or Hobbyist interested in early semiconductor technology, this
unique publication and classic 1950s/60s hobbyist transistor kit is a
“must-have”. You’ll find that this material (and more coming soon from the
Transistor Museum) is an unparalleled way to increase your knowledge,
enjoyment and active participation in the exciting field of semiconductor
history.
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Your historic transistors, photos, descriptive text and
storage envelopes are contained in an expandable three-ring report binder.
The display envelopes are securely stored in plastic sheet holders at the
rear section of the booklet. Archival quality sheet protectors are used
for storage of photographic and text pages. Shown below is a summary of
what you’ll receive:
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ONE EACH OF THESE CLASSIC 1950s/60s GERMANIUM HOBBYIST
TRANSISTORS:
2N35,
2N107, SURFACE BARRIER,
2N170,
CK78X
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EACH TRANSISTOR IS STORED
IN A UNIQUE TRANSISTOR MUSEUM DISPLAY ENVELOPE
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BOOKLET
CONTAINS TRANSISTOR MUSEUM PHOTOGALLERY DOCUMENTATION WITH DETAILED
PHOTOGRAPHS AND HISTORICAL RESEARCH ABOUT YOUR TRANSISTORS
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ALL PRINTED MATERIAL
IS CONTAINED IN ARCHIVAL QUALITY SHEET PROTECTORS AND ENCLOSED IN AN
EXPANDABLE BINDER
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YOU’LL ALSO RECEIVE
ADDITIONAL TRANSISTOR MUSEUM DISPLAY ENVELOPES AND STORAGE SHEETS TO
ASSIST IN EXPANDING YOUR OWN HISTORIC TRANSISTOR RESEARCH
AND DEVICE
COLLECTION
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YOU CAN READ THE COMPLETE TEXT HERE
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Your historic diodes, photos, descriptive text and storage
envelopes are contained in an expandable three-ring report binder. The
display envelopes are securely stored in plastic sheet holders at the rear
section of the booklet. Archival quality sheet protectors are used for
storage of photographic and text pages. Shown below is a summary of what
you’ll receive:
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ONE EACH OF THESE CLASSIC 1950S
GERMANIUM RADIO DIODES:
KEMTRON 1N34 SYLVANIA 1N34A
CBS/HYTRON
1N81
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EACH DIODE IS STORED
IN A UNIQUE TRANSISTOR MUSEUM
DISPLAY ENVELOPE
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BOOKLET
CONTAINS TRANSISTOR MUSEUM PHOTOGALLERY DOCUMENTATION WITH DETAILED
PHOTOGRAPHS AND HISTORICAL RESEARCH ABOUT YOUR DIODES
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ALL PRINTED MATERIAL
IS CONTAINED IN ARCHIVAL QUALITY SHEET PROTECTORS AND ENCLOSED IN AN
EXPANDABLE BINDER
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YOU’LL ALSO RECEIVE
ADDITIONAL TRANSISTOR MUSEUM DISPLAY ENVELOPES AND STORAGE SHEETS TO
ASSIST IN EXPANDING YOUR OWN HISTORIC DIODE RESEARCH AND DEVICE
COLLECTION
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YOU CAN READ THE COMPLETE TEXT HERE
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History
of Crystal Diodes
Volume
1
If you
are an Historian, Engineer, Experimenter, Researcher or Hobbyist interested
in early semiconductor technology, this unique publication and classic
1950s diode kit is a “must-have”. You’ll find that this material (and more
coming soon from the Transistor Museum) is an unparalleled way to increase
your knowledge, enjoyment and active participation in the exciting field of
semiconductor history.
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IBM
Germanium PNP Alloy Junction
Experimental
Transistor
Your IBM germanium transistor will be of the type shown in
the photos above. You can use your historic 50 year old device for display
purposes or in actual circuitry to demonstrate a classic PNP germanium
transistor.
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Historical Background: IBM established an aggressive
transistor development program in the early 1950s and continued with a
substantial engineering and production effort throughout the decade.
During the decade from approximately 1952 to 1962, IBM developed and
manufactured a variety of germanium transistor types for use in their
commercial computers. Primary types of computer transistors produced by
IBM during this timeframe included alloy junction and graded base/drift,
and both NPN and PNP configurations were made. By
the mid-1960s, IBM no longer manufactured germanium
transistors, instead using devices manufactured by leading semiconductor
companies such as Motorola and Texas Instruments. Your Transistor Museum™
transistor (examples shown at left) is from an experimental 1959 lot of
alloy junction transistors produced to evaluate new production and test
equipment. Many of these units have hand-painted color codes which were
likely used to track performance characteristics. These are PNP alloy
junction types and have similar characteristics to IBM types 25 and 33,
which are general purpose PNP alloy junction transistors.
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Historical Background: Approximately ten years
after the first public announcement of the transistor in 1948, this new
technology had matured to the point that devices of reliability and
performance suitable for military use were available. The Nike Zeus
program was the first large scale missile system to use transistors in
preference to vacuum tubes. Bell Labs was heavily involved in the Nike
projects, beginning with Nike Ajax in 1946. The 2N1072 silicon transistor
was available to contractors and subcontractors of U.S. government
projects, and this included the Nike Zeus anti-ballistic missile program,
where high reliability and performance were required. Bell Labs and Western
Electric had been designated contractors by the U.S. government for the
Nike Zeus missile program and the 2N1072 was employed extensively in this
system. Both germanium and silicon transistors were used in the Nike Zeus,
and the 2N1072 mesa (double diffused) technology represented the best that
could be manufactured in the late 1950s – 2 amp switching currents up to
70MC. These high reliability transistors cost many times more than
commercial devices.
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Western Electric
Double Diffused Silicon NPN Mesa 2N1072 Transistor
Typical 2N1072 transistors are marked as shown above - the
“144” date code denotes 1961 week 44. Western Electric registered the
2N1072 with JEDEC in 1961. Note the unique metal case style, listed as
TO-38.
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Westinghouse
2N60 2N609
Germanium
PNP Alloy Junction
Audio
Transistor
Use your 2N60 as a general purpose audio amplifier – the
2N609 is a higher gain equivalent to the 2N60 and can be used in similar
audio amplifier applications. These are rare and historic devices and will
make a terrific addition to your collection of early semiconductors.
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Historical Background: During the late 1950s and 1960s,
Westinghouse became a world leader in the manufacture of high power silicon
transistors and rectifiers. Research and manufacture of germanium
transistors had been started in the mid-1950s, but was not a major business
for Westinghouse. Of note is the manufacture of low frequency (audio and
IF) germanium transistors, primarily to support the substantial
Westinghouse commercial radio manufacturing business. Your Westinghouse
2N60/2N609 transistor represents an important, though short-lived, chapter
of semiconductor history. Early commercial Westinghouse radio transistors
are easily identified by the brilliant blue iridescent case color – this
was used from the mid-1950s until 1959, when the gold plated case style was
adopted. Both styles are shown at left. Your
2N60 or 2N609 historic transistor was manufactured during the early weeks
of 1960 at the Westinghouse Semiconductor manufacturing facility in
Youngwood, Pa. The 2N60 is as audio output device equivalent to the more
common 2N185 from TI and the 2N109 from RCA.
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Historical Background: The RCA 2N247, introduced in 1956, was the first RCA
drift transistor, and provided stable operation up to 30 Mc. RCA
developed a complete line of drift transistors in the 1950s and 1960s,
including the high performance 2N384, which could operate reliably up to
100 Mc. These devices found widespread use in commercial radio
receiver circuits and also in many types of high frequency military and
industrial equipment. RCA’s drift technology was a recognized
industry leader for high frequency use in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
These devices were used extensively in high frequency service in
commercial, industrial and military applications. RCA Drift transistors are
germanium p-n-p alloy junction types which are specifically designed and
controlled for operation in mass-produced military and commercial equipment
and in entertainment type receivers operating at frequencies up into the
VHF band.
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RCA
2N247 & 2N384
Germanium
PNP Drift Transistors
Use your historic drift transistors for all
types of high frequency radio and oscillator circuits and re-create leading
edge 1950s semiconductor technology.
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General Electric
1N3712/TD-1 Germanium Tunnel Diode
Your GE 1N3712/TD-1 is a general purpose
device, well suited for experimentation as a very low power amplifier or
oscillator. You’ll be intrigued with this 45 year old germanium device,
which functions by the mechanism of quantum tunneling of electrons. Circuit
design with the tunnel diode is very challenging, since the tunnel diode
exhibits an unusual characteristic known as negative resistance, which is
found in only a few other obscure devices (point contact and unijunction
transistors, for example).
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Historical Background: The tunnel diode is a truly unique
semiconductor, with a number of interesting characteristics and an unusual
historical past. Developed by Leo Esaki at Sony in 1957, and made public
in 1958, the tunnel (or Esaki) diode was the first device that demonstrated
the validity of quantum physics. Very high switching speed (quantum
tunneling) and the performance attribute known as negative resistance
appeared to position the tunnel diode as the successor to the transistor
for many applications. Although several companies invested heavily in
tunnel diode development, this unique technology has found only niche
applications and since the mid-1960s has been largely seen as a
technological curiosity. Despite the lack of large scale commercial
success, tunnel diode technology continues to generate substantial interest
across a broad range of semiconductor researchers, engineers, hobbyist and
historians. GE was an early and primary supplier
of tunnel diodes and invested heavily in this technology throughout the
late 1950s and into the 1960s. The first and most comprehensive industry
publication on tunnel diode technology was the 1961 GE “Tunnel Diode
Manual”, modeled after the famous GE Transistor and SCR manuals.
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Historical Background: Texas Instruments introduced the 2N339 – 2N343 line of medium
power silicon grown junction transistors in 1957. This is a very early
timeframe for silicon technology, as only three years had passed since the
introduction of the first commercial silicon transistors by TI in 1954.
During the 1950s, transistor technology was advancing rapidly, and the
grown junction technology used for these first silicon transistors was soon
superseded by more advanced technologies such as diffused/mesa and planar.
The military was a major user of these early silicon transistors, and
prices were quite high as the demand for this new technology was expanding
rapidly. For example, the 1960 price for a 2N343 from TI was $30. That’s
over $200 in 2012 prices. With this type of financial incentive, other
companies soon began competing with TI. Transitron was the major second
source supplier for the 2N339 – 2N343 line of transistors, and sold
millions of these devices into the 1960s. Transitron played an important
role in 1950s/1960s semiconductor history, and devices such as these early
1960s 2N343 transistors are collectable and historic.
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Transitron 2N343
Silicon NPN
Grown Junction
Transistor
The Transitron 2N343 transistors included in your order
are quite historic and represent the first silicon transistor technology.
These units are over 50 years old and have been tested to ensure
performance comparable to 1960s grown junction technology. These devices offer
a unique and educational view back to a major and historic milestone in
transistor history. Suggested experimental applications include medium
power audio amplifiers, general purpose low level switches, and comparison
circuits with modern silicon devices.
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Tung-Sol
2N63 2N64 2N65
Germanium
PNP Alloy Junction
Hobbyist
Transistor
CK722
and 2N107
Your Tung-Sol 2N63, 2N64 and 2N65 transistors
are dated for the 1950s and 1960s, as shown above. The 2N63 is a direct
electrical equivalent of the Raytheon CK722 and the GE 2N107 hobbyist
transistors. The 2N64 matches the higher performance levels of the
Raytheon CK721 and the RCA 2N109. Tung-Sol transistors have a unique
“Robin’s Egg Blue” case and a very distinctive orange and purple cardboard
package. These are highly collectable and historic semiconductors. Use
your 2N63 for all CK722 and 2N107 hobbyist circuits. Performance will be
just as designed in the 1950s.
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Historical Background: Raytheon initially
released the 2N63/64/65 line of general purpose germanium transistors in
the mid-1950s. Both editions of the famous Raytheon Transistor
Applications Booklets have spec sheets for this line of devices. The
electrical specs for the 2N63 are equivalent to the famous CK722 hobbyist
transistor and the 2N64 exactly matches the CK721. Raytheon was
advertising the virtues of “hermetic sealing” for the 2N6X line of
transistors, to note the improvement of metal casing and air tight seals to
overcome some of the difficulties of the earlier black plastic cases of the
first CK722s. Tung-Sol Electric was an active manufacturer of germanium
semiconductors in the 1950s, starting first with diodes and then developing
PNP alloy junction transistors. The first “2N” numbered Tung-Sol devices
were the 2N63, 2N64 and 2N65 series of transistors, with tentative data
sheets available in April 1957. These were general purpose audio
transistors, based on specs and JEDEC numbering following similar devices
first released by Raytheon in 1956. Tung-Sol spec sheets from the time
list the 2N63 as a general purpose replacement for the famous GE 2N107
hobbyist transistor.
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Historical Background: The Hytron Radio Tube company, a vacuum
tube manufacturer since 1921, was purchased by Columbia Broadcasting System
(CBS) in the early 1950s. CBS was interested in establishing a presence in
semiconductor and vacuum tube manufacturing, likely to support their primary
radio/TV entertainment business, and Hytron probably appeared to provide an
excellent entry vehicle. By late 1952, CBS was manufacturing germanium
diodes and transistors at the Hytron facility in Lowell Ma. Various device
types, labeled as “CBS” or “CBS/Hytron”, were in production for
approximately 10 years (until the early 1960s), when CBS exited the
semiconductor manufacturing field. From a historical perspective,
CBS/Hytron represents a noteworthy chapter in early semiconductor device
development – this “start-up” produced superior germanium devices (point
contact transistors, junction transistors, diodes, and was especially known
for germanium power transistors) for over a decade. Remaining CBS devices
represent an excellent view into the best of early germanium technology.
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CBS
2N38 Germanium PNP
Alloy
Junction Historic Transistor
The 2N36, 2N37 and 2N38 are germanium alloy
transistors, intended for use as general purpose audio amplifiers. These
devices were made on the same manufacturing line and were sorted and
labeled, based on gain – the 2N36 had the highest gain and the 2N38 had the
lowest gain. Equivalent transistor types of the time from other
manufacturers would have been the Raytheon CK722, the Sylvania 2N34 and the
GE 2N107. CBS/Hytron was an early pioneering transistor company and
produced superior germanium devices, but only a few years. Your 50+ year
old transistor is still functional and can be used in most small signal
germanium PNP classic circuits.
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GE
2N43 2N44 2N45 Germanium
PNP
Alloy Junction Transistor
The GE 2N4X types were widely used by the
military throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with the 2N43A having the
distinction of being the first transistor qualified by the USAF (in 1955).
These are excellent devices and you can use them as terrific general purpose
germanium transistors for most all low frequency applications.
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Historical Background: In mid-1953, General Electric (GE) made
an early commercial entry into the new field of junction transistors with
the 2N43/44/45 line of germanium alloy junction devices. These were
rugged, reliable transistors enclosed in the now classic “pinched top”
metal case. All these devices were made on the same manufacturing lines,
with a gain test process used to sort the transistors into the appropriate
2N4X categories. “Leftovers” from the 2N4X line, which failed to meet
minimum specs, were sold as the famous 2N107 hobbyist transistor.
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Historical Background: Soon after the invention of point
contact transistor technology at Bell Labs in 1947, William Shockley
developed the theoretical basis for the junction transistor, and by 1951,
the first experimental germanium junction transistors had been produced.
By 1952, Western Electric had implemented early production junction devices
and registered the 2N27, 2N28 and 2N29 type numbers with the current
industry standards association (RTMA, later to be known as JETEC/JEDEC).
The 2N27 and 2N28 were in large scale production by 1955, followed by the
2N29 in 1957. These historic types are excellent examples of the first
junction transistor technology (known as grown junction), and represent the
“state of the art” for mid-1950s semiconductors.
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Western Electric 2N27
2N29 Germanium NPN Grown Junction Historic Transistors
The Western Electric 2N27, 2N28 and 2N29 were
the first junction transistor types registered with the industry standard
“2N” RTMA numbering system. The earlier 2N21 thru 2N26 types were also
registered by Western Electric, but were point contact devices. Indicative
of the rigorous manufacturing and quality standards implemented by WECO,
your 2N27 and 2N29 units, although 50 years old, are still functional.
These are truly historic transistors!
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Texas
Instruments Germanium
Radio
Transistors
Classic
Devices from the 1950s
Unique and historic germanium radio
transistors from Texas Instruments, the company best known for silicon! Use
these classic 1950s devices to build your own transistor radio, audio amp,
or hobbyist project.
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Historical Background: TI was a major supplier
of germanium transistors used in radios manufactured by many companies in
the 1950s, including Bulova, Emerson, Heathkit, Magnavox, Regency, and
Zenith. TI initially entered this market in 1954, when the first all
transistor radio, the Regency TR1, was jointly developed by TI and
introduced in Dec 1954. TI supplied a complete range of these types of
transistors, suitable for all elements of radio circuitry, such as audio,
I.F. amplifier and converter oscillator. TI continued to manufacture and
sell these unique germanium radio transistors into the 1960s. You can use these classic
germanium devices to repair your favorite old-time transistor radio, or to
build a circuit from that timeframe with a truly historic transistor.
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Historical Background: In 1955, GE announced
the introduction of the 2N169. This type was originally intended for use in
commercial radios as an IF and reflex amplifier, but its use was later
expanded as a general purpose NPN type for multiple applications. The 1957
2nd edition of the GE Transistor Manual documents the 2N169 for
use in a hobbyist circuit, and later additions of the GE Transistor Manual
identify the 2N169 as a general purpose NPN germanium “workhorse”
equivalent to such other well known types as the 2N35 and 2N229. If you
are building a 1950s vintage electronic project or repairing a radio from
that timeframe, the 2N169 is an excellent choice for a solid, general
purpose germanium transistor, with performance characteristics authentic to
the early days of transistor technology.
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GE
2N169/169A Germanium NPN
Grown
Junction Transistor
General Purpose
Vintage 1950s “Workhorse”
Authentic 1950s germanium transistor
technology. These devices were very well made. Electrical performance is
quite uniform and should easily match your requirements for historic
transistor hobbyist projects.
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Raytheon 1950s
Germanium PNP Alloy Junction Transistor (BLUE)
Historic iridescent BLUE Raytheon germanium
transistor. Unique to the early days of 1950s transistor technology. Ready
to use in your favorite vintage project.
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Historical Background: Raytheon was the early
leader in 1950s high volume germanium transistor production, beginning with
the CK718 hearing aid devices in 1952. In 1955, Raytheon began using a
distinctive iridescent blue metal case for all germanium transistor
production – this style was unique to Raytheon and lasted only until the
late 1950s. Historians and hobbyists still find this 50 year old
technology highly desirable.
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Historical Background: The first germanium
junction transistors, beginning in the early 1950s, were primarily low
frequency audio devices. There was substantial research to develop higher
frequency transistors to be used in computers. RCA initially offered the
2N139/140 series, but entered the computer transistor market in a big way
in 1957 with the 2N404. This was a very successful transistor, which sold
in the millions of units in the 1950s and 1960s, and was second-sourced by
numerous companies. The 2N404 is still used today by experimenters and
hobbyists for germanium audio and general purpose circuitry.
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Germanium
PNP Alloy Junction
Computer
Transistor Type 2N404
Historic 1950s/60s vintage germanium computer
transistor. One of the most successful and widely available germanium
devices. Use yours for digital logic or germanium audio.
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Germanium PNP Micro
Alloy Diffused Base (MADT) Computer and High Speed Switching Transistor
Type 2N501
Historic 2N501 MADT transistors were the
“Workhorse” for germanium digital computer and high speed switching
applications in the late 1950s through the 1960s.
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Historical Background: One of the first
transistors available for high speed operation was the surface barrier
transistor (SBT) developed by Philco in 1953. Improvements to the SBT
technology lead to even higher performing MAT and MADT transistors. This
latter type, Micro Alloy Diffused Base Transistor, was introduced by Philco
in the late 1950s, and established the 2N501 as the “workhorse” for high
speed digital and switching applications. Several other transistor
companies responded to this sales success with second source versions of
the 2N501, including Sprague, General Transistor, General Instrument, CBS
and ETCO.
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Historical Background: The earliest transistors
used a technology known as Point Contact – this was the first type invented
at Bell Labs in 1947. Shockley’s junction transistor technology replaced
the point contact type, which was obsolete by the mid-950s. These 2N110s
were manufactured by Western Electric for use by the military and Bell System phone equipment in the 1950s. Each of these historic point contact devices
has been tested and is guaranteed to work. Your 2N110 (either black-cased,
or grey) should function as designed in circuits developed to demonstrate
the unique characteristics of point contact technology, including negative
resistance.
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Western
Electric 2N110
Point
Contact Transistor
The 2N110 is a truly historic device. These
are rugged and stable, and reflect the highest level of performance that
could be achieved with the original point contact transistor technology.
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Sylvania 1N34A &
Raytheon CK705/1N66
Germanium Diodes
Your classic 1950s germanium point contact
diodes have been tested and offer 1950s performance for your next radio
project!
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Historical Background: Introduced by Sylvania in
1946, the 1N34 germanium diode has been in production ever since and
continues to be the most popular and universally recognized diode
available. By the early 1950s, the 1N34 was manufactured by other
companies, including CBS-Hytron, Radio Receptor, RCA and Raytheon. Both
Sylvania and Raytheon marketed the 1N34 heavily to the hobbyist and
experimenter market, and published numerous booklets containing 1N34
construction projects – best remembered is a simple AM radio, using the 1N34
with very few other parts.
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Historical Background: GE developed one of the
most famous hobbyist transistors when the 2N107 PNP germanium alloy
junction device was announced in 1955. In the following year (1956) GE
introduced the NPN germanium grown junction unit, labeled the 2N170. With
performance adequate for front-end radio circuits, the 2N170 was a natural
companion for the 2N107 audio type. Relive the early days of home-built
transistor radios!
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General
Electric 2N170
Hi
Freq RF Transistors
Original GE hobbyist
circuit and history included!
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Surface
Barrier & MADT
Hi
Freq and Computer Switching Transistors
Early radio schematic and original surface
barrier patent information included.
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Historical Background: These were the first
commonly available high frequency transistors of the 1950s - made famous by
Philco. Early germanium transistors performed poorly at frequencies above
audio, and as such, had limited applications. Philco developed a very
successful transistor technology, known as surface barrier, which resulted
in germanium suitable for high speed use in computers and radios. Philco
remained a dominant transistor company into the mid-1960s, based largely on
this pioneering technology.
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Historical Background: Raytheon was the leading supplier of
the first transistors to hearing aid manufacturers, starting in 1952.
These first Raytheon transistors were black epoxy cased units, labeled as
CK718. Transistor technology was developing rapidly and the next generation
of smaller metal cased units appeared in 1955. Still further size
reduction and improved performance resulted in the 1957 vintage unit supplied
with your Transistor Museum™ order. Surplus Raytheon CK78X transistors
were encapsulated inside larger blue or silver metal cases and marketed as
the popular CK722 hobbyist transistor. (See the top photo at right). Use these just like classic “Mini CK722” PNP germanium alloy
transistors from the 1950s. These are original Raytheon hearing aid
transistors and are exactly the same type of transistors that were used
“inside” the famous blue and silver CK722s. This is an inexpensive way to
experiment with circuits from the days of the first hobbyist transistors!
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Raytheon CK78X Hearing
Aid Transistors (Mini CK722)
Your CK78X transistors will be of the style
shown directly above – miniature unmarked silver units. These are
historically important because this exact type of surplus hearing aid
transistor was used by Raytheon to extend the market life of the famous CK722
hobbyist transistor. As shown in the top photo, the miniature hearing aid
transistors were mounted inside a larger blue or silver metal case and
labeled “CK722”.
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Raytheon CK718 Hearing
Aid Transistor
Circuit and History
Included!
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Historical Background: Truly Historic! These were
developed by Raytheon, starting in 1952, for use in hearing aids. The CK718
was sold only to hearing aid manufacturers (such as Zenith) and only for a
short time (thru 1955). Your CK718 has been tested and is supplied with a
vintage Sub-Mini vacuum tube type socket. A perfect opportunity for
experimenting with one of the earliest commercial transistors.
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Historical Background: The GE 2N107 (introduced
in 1955) was one of the first low-cost hobbyist transistors available. According
to the press
release which announced the 2N107, “A new transistor, designed to meet the
demands of radio amateurs, hobbyists and experimenters for a stable,
inexpensive transistor has been placed on the market by the General
Electric Co…… the suggested distributor price of well below $2 for the new
2N107 transistor makes it the least expensive of any transistor currently
available.” This transistor became a favorite with hobbyists and
experimenters, and there were hundreds of “build
it yourself” articles using the 2N107 published over the decades. You
won’t find a better transistor for your vintage projects.
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General
Electric/ETCO 2N107
Hobbyist
Audio Transistors
GE first introduced the 2N107 in 1955 with the
classic “pinched-top” metal case, shown above second from right. By 1957,
the more modern “top-hat” was used (far right). In the 1960s and 1970s,
ETCO sold the 2N107 in the standard silver TO-5 case (center). Several
radio supply companies (Radio Shack, Lafayette, Poly-Paks) sold unlabeled
2N107 style devices (left and second from left) for many years.
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RCA 2N109
& 2N406 Germanium Audio Transistors
Circuit Included for 1950s
Germanium Preamp.
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Historical Background: These are vintage
germanium audio transistors from the 1960s. These classic devices were
manufactured by RCA for use in a variety of early transistorized audio
applications, including transistor radios and the first true “Hi-Fi”
transistorized preamps. This is a unique opportunity to explore the World
of Germanium Audio!
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Historical Background: The unijunction transistor
is a unique single junction device, developed at GE in the early 1950s, and
originally known as the “double base diode”. GE was the dominant
unijunction manufacturer throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with many millions
of units sold. Applications ranged from oscillators to switching
circuits. Your Transistor Museum™ packet will contain a vintage
unijunction transistor and original application.
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Vintage GE 2N489 -
2N494
Silicon Bar
Unijunction Transistors
Early N-Type Silicon Bar
Unijunction Transistors.
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TI Polaris Missile
R212
Germanium PNP Alloy
Junction Transistor
Tested for a minimum gain
of 80.
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Historical Background: These gold plated, high
quality germanium transistors were manufactured for the Polaris missile
program by Texas Instruments in the 1960s/70s. Use these in a wide variety
of germanium circuit applications and you are sure to get excellent
results. Add a bit of history to your next project.
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Historical Background: Vintage germanium hobbyist
transistors from the 1950s/60s. These classic devices were manufactured by
Sylvania for use in a variety of low cost early transistorized hobbyist
projects. Dozens of circuits were published in hobbyist magazines,
describing such projects as Radios, Computer Circuits, Geiger Counters,
Light Flashers and Code Oscillators.
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Sylvania 2N229 NPN
Germanium Alloy Junction Hobbyist Transistor
Circuit Included for 1950s
germanium radio.
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Texas Instruments
2N1149
National Semiconductor
2N1150 Vintage Silicon Grown
Junction Transistors
Experiment with the first silicon transistor
technology. Device description included!
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Historical Background: These vintage devices from
the 1960s represent the first type of silicon transistor technology
available, known as grown junction. TI was the first to commercialize
silicon transistors (in 1954) and the devices shown here provide a unique
opportunity for the experimenter/historian to learn about this historic
technology. These transistors have been tested and are “ready to go” in
your own vintage silicon circuit.
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Historical Background: This is a classic and
historic transistor from the early days of solid state digital computers.
Used by Univac and by the U.S. Military, the 2N167 is a high reliability,
switching device that met the needs of the first transistorized computers.
Build your own digital circuits with the included schematics.
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GE 2N167/2N167A
Germanium NPN
Grown Junction
Computer Transistor
One of the first commercial NPN transistors
designed for computer usage.
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Fairchild uLogic® 923
RTL Integrated Circuit
J-K Flip-Flop
Your uLogic 923 integrated circuits as shown
above are 50+ years old and represent the earliest type of integrated
circuits made available commercially in large quantities by Fairchild. You
can use these devices to experiment with digital logic and computer circuits,
or as replacements for products sold in the 1960s and 1970s that used these
unique devices. Your historic Fairchild uLogic 923 integrated circuits are
“New Old Stock” and should function as designed.
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Historical Background: Beginning in 1961, Fairchild offered
one of the first Integrated Circuit product lines for commercial sale.
These ICs were silicon and contained a few transistors, diodes, resistors
and even capacitors on the silicon “chip”. These ICs implemented basic
logic functions and used a type of circuitry known as RTL (Resistor
Transistor Logic). The 923 is an RTL IC containing 15 transistors which
performs the logic function defined as J-K Flip-Flop. Initial prices were
quite high ($50 for example), but began to fall as more companies entered
the market. Fairchild used the copyrighted name MicroLogic® and uLogic®
for their first ICs. Your 923 units are Fairchild uLogic RTL ICs from the
early 70s. Your units are type 923EC, which indicates commercial
temperature range and epoxy case. There are eight leads on the 923, with
details provided in your documentation.
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This is a variety pack of four 1950s/1960s
vintage germanium transistors. You’ll receive PNP, NPN, Audio and RF/IF
Hi-Freq Types. Includes schematics, circuit ideas, and specifications for
your transistors. Each transistor is individually packaged (See the Photo
on the Left for a Sample of Two of the Four Types Included). This
Experimenter’s Pack is an exciting and authentic way to learn about early
transistor circuits.
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Germanium Transistor
Experimenter's Pack #1
Vintage Transistors Ready to Use! Several
Pages of Historic Circuits Included!
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THE
FOLLOWING BOOKS ABOUT EARLY TRANSISTOR HISTORY ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM THE
TRANSISTOR MUSEUM™.
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“The Story of the
CK722”
by Jack Ward
If You Were an Electronics Hobbyist in the 1950s and
1960s, then You’ll Thoroughly Enjoy This Exciting New Book.
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“TI, the Transistor
and Me”
by Ed Millis
This New Book is Immensely Entertaining
and Tells the Story of Early Transistor Development at Texas Instruments.
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Copyright
2001-2016 by Jack Ward. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.transistormuseum.com
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