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TRANSISTOR MUSEUM™ Historic Transistor Museum Store |
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The Transistor Museum™ Store has been established to provide an easily accessible (and inexpensive) 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, circuits 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.
CHECK BACK OFTEN AND WATCH THE MUSEUM STORE GROW!
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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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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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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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Alloy Junction Historic Transistor
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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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General Electric 1N3712/TD-1 Germanium Tunnel Diode
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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.
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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. 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). 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.
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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
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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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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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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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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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Classic Devices from the 1950s
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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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General Purpose Vintage 1950s “Workhorse”
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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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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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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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Computer Transistor Type 2N404
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Historic 1950s/60s Vintage Germanium Computer Transistor. One of the Most Successful and Second-Sourced Germanium Devices. Use Yours for Digital Logic or Germanium Audio.
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Raytheon 1950s Germanium PNP Alloy Junction Transistor (BLUE)
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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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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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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 1950s. 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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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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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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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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Use these just like a “Mini CK722”. PNP Germanium Alloy units from the 1950s. These are original Raytheon hearing aid transistors and are exactly the same type of trannies 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
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Raytheon Early Transistor Hearing Aid Photo Included.
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Raytheon CK705/1N66 Germanium Diodes
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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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Your Classic 1950s Germanium Point Contact Diodes Have Been Tested and Offer High Performance for Your Next Radio Project!
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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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Original GE Hobbyist Circuit and History Included! *****
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Hi Freq and Computer Switching Transistors
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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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Early Radio Schematic and Original Surface Barrier Patent Information Included.
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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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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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Raytheon CK718 Hearing Aid Transistor
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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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Each CK718 has been Individually Tested. Circuit and History Included!
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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 TransistorMuseum™ packet will contain a vintage unijunction transistor and original application.
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Silicon Bar Unijunction Transistors
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Early N-Type Silicon Bar Unijunction Transistors.
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RCA 2N109 & 2N406 Germanium Audio Transistors
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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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Circuit Included for 1950s Germanium Preamp.
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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
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Circuit Included for 1950s Germanium Radio.
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Germanium PNP Alloy Junction Transistor
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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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Guaranteed to Work, and Each has a Minimum Gain of 80.
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