Real First Generation Transistors

ebay?

I have some cable wrap, its sort of like you describe, I had it way back in the early 70's when I worked for Marconi's, part of the GEC group.

Come to think of it I also have an original manuscript of a book written by the scientists at the GEC research labs in 1957. Its their first book about transistors and their operation and applications, its quite fascinating to see the changes that have been made since then!!

John.

One of my old profs worked at TI in the early '60s. He reported this conversation:

TI Boss: I want you to test this lot of transistors. They all need to pass.

Prof: But, some of them are going to fail.

TI Boss: You're not listening to me. Test them, then tell me they all passed.

Definitely eBay! You may be surprised what you can get for one germanium transistor of that era if it is in mint condition.

I know a year or two ago when I found out that the old useless OC45's sitting in my component drawers were worth over £1 each on ebay I've been pretty busy clearing out old stock.....

And, it must be said, sulking at the fact that a couple of decades ago I threw out a whole load of valves that now fetch over £10 each on ebay.......

John.

Hmmm....ebay, huh? I have an unused, absolutely-mint-condition Eimac 450TH still in the original shipping carton (and its original real-horsehair packing). Date of manufacture, printed on the carton: April, 1957.

Wadda ya think it's worth, Bubba?

--Europium

What you refer to is Lacing Cord (PVC covered Rayon or Nylon) conforming to DEF40-80, available from all good Cable accessory catalogues (Farnell in UK).

In the 1960's we used waxed flat nylon cable lacing twine. I think the product shown at http://www.manhattanwire.com/page.cfm?page=228 is similar.

Please consider placing the early devices on eBay, or check to see if your community college would have an interest in them.

I have read that dental floss can be used for this. At least in amateur radio magazines.

Hello, I know just the type of lacing cord you used to use. I have found that Farnell InOne here in the Uk do still supply the very type you require. They have a US company Newark InOne Try looking them up on the net. The Farnell part numbers are

305-8669 and 719-225 look them up on the internet. www.farnellinone.co.uk

I hope this helps you. I would like to have any of those transistors, if the mood should take you. Contact me at ian.electronics@blueyonder.co.uk