TRANSISTOR MUSEUM Historic Transistor Photo Gallery
Transistor Size (7/16” Diameter X 5/16”H) Date Code 743 (1957 Week 43) on Back Plastic Tube Some Plastic Tubes Have No Markings	GE 2N123 TYPE Germanium PNP Alloy Junction Hi Frequency USAGE Industrial/Military/Computer DATE INTRODUCED 1955 CASE STYLES Black Metal TopHat Pinched Top (Early) AVAILABILITY Common (Volume Production)
HISTORIC NOTES The 2N123 was an early entry by General Electric in the industrial/military/computer market for reasonably high performance (for the time) and reliable germanium transistors. This device was rated at 8MHz switching frequency, which made it suitable for computer a RF applications. For reliability, it used the unique hermetically sealed and evacuated metal case design common to early GE transistors. The high purchase price of this device limited its use in commercial applications, but the military used it in large numbers. The 2N123 sold for approximately $5.50 throughout the late 1950s, and was listed in a variety of electronics catalogues. It was superceded by better performing germanium and silicon types in the 1960s.
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