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History of Electronics
Sudhir Kumar Routray
Region 8

The University of Sheffield
Contact Address:
16 Manor Oaks Road
Sheffield
England
Post Code: S2 5QR
E-mail:skr@ieee.org

History of Electronics

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Contents
Abstract

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1. Introduction

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2. Electronics before 20th Century ……………………………………...6
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Foundations:(Franklin, Coulomb, Galvani, Volta,Oersted,
Ampere,Ohm)
Improved Achievements: (Gauss, Wave theory, Magnetism)
Maxwell’s Theory: (The systematic procedure)

3. Electronics of Early 20th Century

……………………………….….9

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Discovery of the Transistor Effect

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The Endless Journey after Transistor ……………………………...12
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6.

7.

The Effects on Computing
The Effects on EconomicsThe Effects on Other Sciences
The Effect on the Whole World

Electronics till Date
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………………………….…….11

………………………………………….….15

Discoveries and Inventions that Changed the World Science
Internet and WWW
The Road Ahead

Conclusion

……………………………………………….…..…16

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Abstract
In this paper the history of electronics has been represented in a
chronological order along with thediscoverer/inventor, who
actually is responsible for that. The effects of electronics on the
contemporary society are very significant and without the study of
the effects the history is incomplete. Thus the effects on the
economy, computing and the society as a whole have been studied.
In this paper the discovery of the transistor has been considered
as the backbone of the development ofelectronics, but the preconditions which lead to the transistor era and the after effects
also have been considered in detail.

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Introduction
How old is the electronics? Who can say? How can we say that when the
electronics started? The answer is very difficult.
As long as the memory goes back we can say that in Greek and Indian
mythology the people having extraordinary power were able tosend message very
quickly. So, what was the basis of that technology? Were they using any kind of
wireless devices, whose components are electronic as today’s wireless devices.
What ever it may be there is no clear idea of those technologies or no proof that
whether they were using those things.
In the 21st century we are enjoying well developed electronics. In some form or
the othereveryday we deal with the electronic devices several times. So why we
are interested to look at the past? Because it is required. Like the history of a
nation from which its people get inspired (or learn something from their past
faults) the history of any science inspires its future generations. Even more than
that those who spent their whole life for the inventions/discoveries, they did not
dothat for themselves rather they did it for the whole society, the whole world. So
we should tribute them. This electronic world was not just the effort of some years
or decades, rather it is the result of the hard work of great minds since ages. So
now it is the time to remember them.
In the coming sections the whole scenario of the development of the electronics
in the whole world have beenlooked at in a chronological order. Also their effects
on the contemporary society and economy have been analysed.

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Electronics before Twentieth Century
Now let us divide the history of electronics into two broad categories. That can be
done on the basis of development of the electronic technology and its use in the in the
day to day life. Before the 20th century there was a little oralmost no electronics in
the day to day life of a common man. So, the time before 20th century can be taken as
the pre-developmental era in the growth of electronic technology. So, we should start
from the very beginning of electrical engineering, which is regarded as the parent of
electronics. The formal beginning of electrical engineering goes back to 18th century
when Franklin gave the...