Historical contribution
What Shockley contributed
John Bardeen and Walter Brattain demonstrated the point-contact transistor in December, while William Shockley developed the junction-transistor concept soon afterwards. The first transistor was not a pocket radio. Commercialisation required manufacturable components, suitable circuits, small speakers, compact capacitors, dependable batteries, stylish cases and distribution networks.
Why it mattered
Reduces size, weight, fragility and power demands that tied radio reception to fixed household locations.
Connected topics
Where this fits in ITEM
Evidence
Sources and further reading
- 1947: Invention of the Point-Contact Transistor
Computer History Museum · 1947