TRANSISTOR MUSEUM™  Historic Transistor Photo Gallery
2N29s Mounted in Sockets Date Code 734 (1957, Week 34) 1956 Western Electric 2N29 Device Information	WESTERN ELECTRIC 2N29 TYPE Germanium NPN Grown Junction Transistor USAGE Small Signal Transmission/Switching (Suitable for Military Use) DATE INTRODUCED Mid 1950s CASE STYLES Hermetically Sealed – Pinched Top AVAILABILITY Rare (Limited Production)
HISTORIC NOTES William Shockley developed the theoretical basis for the junction transistor at Bell Labs in 1950.  By the end of 1951, limited quantities of actual working devices had been made at the Murray Hill NJ Bell Labs facility; these first working junction transistors were plastic-cased and labeled as model number M-1752.  The performance of the M1752 style transistor was limited, and the plastic/epoxy case material was soon shown to be inadequate for protecting the internal transistor junction from environmental temperature and humidity.   The 2N29 was one of several transistor types developed from the original M1752.  This improved device used a metal, hermetically sealed case to provide better protection of the transistor junction from environmental and mechanical abuse.  (Note the “pinched-top” of the 2N29 shown above.  This feature is the result of the hermetic sealing process).  Commercial quantities of the 2N29 were made at the Western Electric Allentown PA. in the mid to late 1950s, to be used primarily in military and phone company equipment.  Most remaining 2N29s are still functional, 50 years after manufacture; this is a testament to the high quality of the original devices.
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