Is the 2N2222 the Most Important Transistor Ever Made?
Part That Changed American History
7,215 views
In 1962, Motorola introduced a tiny transistor that would quietly become one of the most widely used electronic components ever made: the 2N2222.
Behind it was engineer Jack Haenichen and a surprisingly simple breakthrough — a microscopic ring of doped silicon that solved a problem holding back early planar transistors. That innovation helped Motorola build reliable silicon transistors at scale, and the 2N2222 went on to appear in test equipment, military electronics, classrooms, hobby projects, and countless circuits around the world.
More than six decades later, versions of this legendary transistor are still being manufactured and used.
This is the forgotten story of the engineer, the hidden ring, and the tiny transistor that became an electronics standard.
If you enjoy stories about forgotten engineers, overlooked components, and the small inventions that quietly changed American technology, subscribe to Part That Changed American History.
#2N2222 #Transistor #Motorola #Electronics #Semiconductor #Engineering #TechHistory #AmericanHistory #VintageElectronics #Silicon
20 Comments
Thank you very much.
Der Arbeitslohn in Deutschland 1966 war ca 430 DM im Durchschnitt.
In der Industrie wurden amerikanische Typen wie 2N709 schon früher (1962, 15 Dollar~60 DM) eingesetzt. Unbezahlbar für einen Bastler damals.😢
Heutzutage sind Transistoren im Metallgehäuse deutlich teurer als ihre Versionen im Plastikgehäuse.😮
Und man bekommt sie seltener.
And for many stereo outputs in the 1970's...2N3055 power output....2 per channel...
Is the 2N2222 the Most Important Transistor Ever Made?
Part That Changed American History
7,215 views
In 1962, Motorola introduced a tiny transistor that would quietly become one of the most widely used electronic components ever made: the 2N2222.
Behind it was engineer Jack Haenichen and a surprisingly simple breakthrough — a microscopic ring of doped silicon that solved a problem holding back early planar transistors. That innovation helped Motorola build reliable silicon transistors at scale, and the 2N2222 went on to appear in test equipment, military electronics, classrooms, hobby projects, and countless circuits around the world.
More than six decades later, versions of this legendary transistor are still being manufactured and used.
This is the forgotten story of the engineer, the hidden ring, and the tiny transistor that became an electronics standard.
If you enjoy stories about forgotten engineers, overlooked components, and the small inventions that quietly changed American technology, subscribe to Part That Changed American History.
#2N2222 #Transistor #Motorola #Electronics #Semiconductor #Engineering #TechHistory #AmericanHistory #VintageElectronics #Silicon