[Boatanchors] Fundamental Research

[manualman at juno.com]

In the late 40's, BTL had a program of basic research on the physics of
solids. From that, the junction transistor emerged. Prior to that, BTL
and others dabbled in the research and some eventual use of P-N type
junctions with various solids.

Pete, wa2cwa

On Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:50:23 -0700 Richard Knoppow
<1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com> writes:
>     I think the research behind the laser probably fits in as 
> basic research but I am not so sure about the development of the 
> transistor. Basic research means the discovery of new physical 
> principles, not just the application of known principles to 
> practical purposes. I don't remember the details of the 
> development of the transistor but it seems to me that "amplifying 
> crystals" long predated the transistor even though they were not 
> practical. I also do not remember what was attributed to GE as 
> basic discovery. However, Bell Labs seems to have been well ahead 
> of the game.
> 
> On 4/22/2022 3:20 PM, manualman at juno.com wrote:
> > I agree with Jim. There were many "fundamental research" projects 
> going
> > on at Bell Telephone Laboratories (BTL) all the time. Their 
> fundamental
> > research into infrared and optical light as powerful tools for
> > spectroscopy  eventually would lead them into the invention of the 
> laser.
> > Having worked at Bell Telephone Labs for many years, I was always 
> in awe
> > at some the research avenues engineers and scientists were 
> pursuing on a
> > daily basis. Was never sorry I turned down a job offer at RCA
> > Laboratories in West Windsor/Princeton, NJ and took the job offer 
> at BTL.
> > 
> > Pete, wa2cwa
> > 
> > 
> > On Fri, 22 Apr 2022 21:33:24 +0000 JAMES HANLON 
> <knjhanlon at msn.com>
> > writes:
> >> Richard Knoppow wrote"While all did important
> >> industrial research none did much fundamental research."  I 
> think
> >> Bell Labs' invention of the transistor certainly ranks as 
> important
> >> "fundamental research."
> >>
> >> Jim, W8KGI
> > 
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> -- 
> Richard Knoppow
> 1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
> WB6KBL
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