TRANSISTOR MUSEUM Historic Transistor Photo Gallery
Transistor Size (5/16”L X 1/8”W X 5/16”H) Text on Back: RDR D7 Cardboard Packaging with 2N98A Listed on End Flap	GERMANIUM PRODUCTS CORP 2N98A TYPE Germanium NPN Grown Junction USAGE Switching/Computers DATE INTRODUCED Mid 1950s CASE STYLES Silver Metal Case AVAILABILITY Rare (Limited Production)
HISTORIC NOTES Germanium Products Corporation was a unique privately held company that was responsible for producing some of the first transistors ever available for commercial sale. The parent company to GPC, Radio Development and Research (RDR) created the GPC division in 1952 and began placing ads announcing the availability of its new germanium grown junction transistors. GPC was one of only a few companies (total of 30 or so) that purchased an initial license from Western Electric to manufacture transistors. These first GPC transistors were quite crude, black epoxy units. Some of these were used in the first transistorized or hybrid hearing aids in 1952/1953. The 2N98A unit shown above is from the late 1950s (probably 1957). It is the same basic technology (germanium grown junction) as the first GPC transistors. At some point in the late 1950s, GPC was sold to another semiconductor manufacturer (Bogue Electric) which continued to sell the 2N98A for several years.
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