The Vintage Technology Association - Discrete Semiconductors

Discrete Semiconductors

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Sylvania 2N35

The Sylvania 2N35 is an early consumer-grade germanium transistor, notable for its NPN construction at a time when most of the available devices were of PNP construction. Released in 1953, the 2N35 was a competitor to the popular Raytheon CK722.

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Raytheon CK718

Released in late 1952, the Raytheon CK718 is believed to be the first mass-produced junction transistor. The CK718 was not made available to consumers, but was instead supplied exclusively to a number of hearing aid manufacturers. The better-known CK722 is a low performance bin of the same device, notable as the first consumer-available transistor, and as the transistor used by Bulova engineer Max Hetzel during prototype development of the Accutron electronic timepiece.

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Western Electric 2N559

The Western Electric 2N559 diffused-junction germanium PNP transistor is perhaps the first military-rated computer transistor. Released in 1957, the 2N559 is a rugged, highly reliable, high speed switching transistor, capable of operation in excess of 400MHz. The 2N559 features a diffused-junction mesa construction, is highly miniaturized, and is a distinctly mature device for its time.

The 2N559's numerous high-performance features, as well as Western Electric's ability to produce them in large quantities, resulted in their use in the Remington Rand UNIVAC Target Intercept Computer (TIC), whose logic circuitry employed 20,000 2N559 transistors.

Mechanization of Semiconductor Devices: 2N559 & 2N1094 - Quarterly Progress Report 17 (PDF)
Mechanization of Semiconductor Devices: 2N559 & 2N1094 - Quarterly Progress Report 22 (PDF)
Obsolete Lower Power & Switching Transistors Datasheet (PDF)

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Western Electric GF401xx Series

Devices included in this entry:

Western Electric GF40139 (custom metal-can carrier)
Western Electric GF40142 (custom metal-can carrier)
Western Electric GF40143 (custom metal-can carrier; pictured in thumbnail)
Western Electric GF40145 (custom metal-can carrier)

The GF401xx series of hybrid integrated circuits were used in the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) defense computer during the 1960s. These are extremely rare chips, each composed of multiple discrete transistor and diode dies mounted on a white ceramic substrate and encased in a gold-plated metal can with gold pins.

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Sylvania 2N35
	The Sylvania 2N35 is an early consumer-grade germanium transistor, notable for its NPN construction at a time when most of the available devices were of PNP construction. Released in 1953, the 2N35 was a competitor to the popular Raytheon CK722. [View Detail]