A SURVEY OF EARLY POWER TRANSISTORS

by Joe Knight

THE POWER TRANSISTOR

BELL TELEPHONE LABS AND WESTERN ELECTRIC

The photo above shows the M1777 interior with the distinctive 'base' ring connection atop the flat germanium wafer. The center 'collector' pellet is connected to the wafer middle with the wafer itself mounted to the bottom pillar of the housing shell for the 'emitter' connection. This case was hermetically sealed as by 1953 it was well known (but not by all) that moisture and air were the greatest enemy to long lasting transistor performance. 

This above photo shows the side view of the M1777 construction with the flat germanium wafer sitting on top of the bottom shell pillar. The distinctive 'hook-eye' leads can also be seen.

Go To BTL/Western Electric Early Power Transistors, Page 7

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Joe Knight Early Power Transistor History – BTL/WESTERN ELECTRIC  Page 6