TRYEngineering 2024 - 14

HISTORY MISSION:
Transistor Revolution
Take on the role of a Technology
Historian. Hold a debate on the
statement: " The invention of the
transistor is the most significant
technological advancement of
the 20th century. "
Let's Review the History of the Semiconductor Industry
The Transistor Revolution
In 1947, scientists at Bell Labs invented the transistor, a
tiny electronic component made from semiconductors.
Transistors replaced bulky vacuum tubes and
revolutionized electronics. They're the building blocks of
modern devices like computers, phones, and televisions.
So, what is a transistor? Transistors act as switches.
When a small amount of current flows into one part of
the transistor (called the gate), it allows a larger current
to flow through another part (the drain). This switching
capability is essential for microprocessors.
WATCH this video Transistors: Teeny Tech that
Changed the World by Abby Kent (Project for
Science and Natural History Filmmaking from
Montana State University) to learn more.
Source: https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/integrated-circuit/603797
https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/transistor/277411
In the early 1960s, the invention of the integrated
circuit (commonly known as a microchip) extended
the capabilities of the single transistor. To compile an
integrated circuit, many transistors are manufactured
at once and permanently connected within a single
silicon chip. In the past 50 years, the number of
transistors on a chip has grown to more than one million
on a single chip.
THINK: How much smaller can a transistor be?
In 10 years, how many might fit on the tip of
an eraser? Is there a limit to how small
a transistor can be?
Will Moore's Law
last forever?
tryengineering.org/semiconductors // semiconductors.ieee.org/

https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/integrated-circuit/603797 https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/transistor/277411 https://tryengineering.org/?page_id=29657&preview=true https://semiconductors.ieee.org/

TRYEngineering 2024

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