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Transistors - -Modern Miracle of Electronics Development of Tiny Electronic Device Goes Forward Rapidly in Broad Program Initiated by RCA Scientists and Engineers. Ni EW possibilities for extending the usefulness of the transistor — tiny electronic device which functions like certain types of vacuum tubes — have been dis- closed by research scientists and engineers of the Radio Corporation of America. Development of the RCA transistor, noted for its reliability and ruggedness, emerged from a broad pro- gram initiated at the David Sarnoff Research Center of RCA, Princeton, N. J., and carried forward into prac- tical applications at the RCA plants in Harrison and Camden, N. J. In addition, these activities are providing valuable information on new electronic circuits that will be necessary before transistors can be utilized, ac- cording to Dr. E. W. Engstrom, Vice President in Charge of the RCA Laboratories Division. "As the vacuum tube made possible the modern miracles of radio, television and radar," says Dr. Eng- strom, "so will the transistor become a tool with which to open vast new horizons in the electronic art. How- ever, RCA does not expect the transistor to supplant the electron tube any more than radio replaced tlie phonograph. In fact, the market for electron tubes is almost certain to increase under the full impact of commercial transistors. "This is because the transistor permits development of electronic instruments and apparatus undreamed of at the present time. Many of these devices will still require electron tubes. Thus, as transistors begin to take the place of certain rubes, the displaced tubes will find new jobs in new electronic gear." Operates at Low Tenipciatines A paper on the improved RCA transistor in tlie December, 1951 issue of RCA Review, prepared by B. N. Slade, of the RCA Tube Department, describes it as shock resistant, unaffected by dampness and able to operate at temperatures as low as liquid air (minus 180 degrees Centigrade). These characteristics have been achieved by embedding the elements of the tran- sistor in thermosetting resin to provide the finished product with an almost indestructible protective case. In appearance and size, the RCA transistor resembles 8 RADIO AGE Although only the size of o kernel of corn, the transistoJ performs the functions of certain types of vacuum fubea^ a small kernel of corn, with three needle-like terminals protruding from the end. Its principal embedded ele- ment is a quantity of single-crystal germanium about the size of a pinhead. Overall, the transistor measures 6 10" by 3 10" by 2 TO". One of the world's few setups for producing single- crystal germanium needed for transistors was on public view in New York during March 3-6 at the Institute of Radio Engineers exhibit in Grand Central Palace. Refinement of this rare element w-as accomplished with professional efficiency through the use of a small electric furnace operated by RCA engineers. The germanium furnace, part of a display showing research into electronically active solids, transformed the germanium into the desired single-crystal form. To ob- tain the processed germanium crystals RCA engineers "tiraw" — instead of cast — a thin, pencil-like ingot