Transistor number one

75 years of the transistor
To make this short video celebrating 75 years of the transistor, I made this replica of the first demonstrated germanium transistor. The construction has a small piece of germanium sitting on a plate forming the base connection. Two very close gold contacts are on either side of the anvil above. These are pressed into the top surface of the germanium with an adjustable spring load. On testing it didn't demonstrate amplification but I spent less time setting it up. I think it was tricky to get the first one working.
Considering how much the world now depends on these it's scarcely celebrated. Can't imagine how many transistors are in the world now, many very old and still in working condition.

Видео Transistor number one канала tuopeek