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An Early Leader in Germanium Transistor Technology
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Radio Receptor started a radio
manufacturing business in 1922. By
the late 1940s, the company had grown substantially and had diversified
into other industries, including Military Equipment, Large Scale Heating
Equipment, and Selenium Rectifiers.
Eager to participate in the potentially huge transistor business,
Radio Receptor bought licenses from Western Electric and RCA, established a
top notch semiconductor lab, and launched a full scale germanium transistor
and diode production facility which was shipping product by 1952. For the next five years, Radio Receptor manufactured
high quality germanium alloy transistors and diodes for the computer
business and was the second largest supplier (after Raytheon) of hearing
aid transistors. Radio Receptor exited the transistor
business in 1955 or 1956, and the entire company was sold to General
Instrument in 1957.
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Use This Link to See Photos and Descriptions of Historic Radio
Receptor Devices and Publications
Photo Gallery
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This is a section of an ad that appeared in the
Nov, 1952 Proceedings of the IRE, which announced the availability of “Germanium
Transistors” in limited sample quantities. This is a reference to the alloy junction transistors which
were in early stages of development across the industry. Only a very few companies, including Radio
Receptor, Raytheon and Germanium Products Inc and National Union were able
to announce commercial availability of this exciting new technology as
early as 1952.
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Biographies and Oral
Histories
Actual
Interviews and Written Comments From Many of the Key Technical Contributors
to the Radio Receptor Early Transistor Program, Including:
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