At Bell Labs in December 1947, three scientists—John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley—demonstrated a tiny device that would outlast the vacuum tube and launch the digital age. Newt traces the transistor's evolution from a sliver of germanium into the integrated circuit and, eventually, chips containing over 100 billion transistors. Born from pure scientific curiosity rather than a commercial mandate, the transistor became the most sustained technological advance in history—Moore's Law—and the hidden engine behind every computer, phone, and satellite discussed later in this series. It's a powerful case for funding basic research.

<p>At Bell Labs in December 1947, three scientists&mdash;John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley&mdash;demonstrated a tiny device that would outlast the vacuum tube and launch the digital age. Newt traces the transistor's evolution from a sliver of germanium into the integrated circuit and, eventually, chips containing over 100 billion transistors. Born from pure scientific curiosity rather than a commercial mandate, the transistor became the most sustained technological advance in history&mdash;Moore's Law&mdash;and the hidden engine behind every computer, phone, and satellite discussed later in this series. It's a powerful case for funding basic research.</p>

Join Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Speaker of the House and Ph.D. historian, for the most diverse, informative, and entertaining podcast available. Every episode is an education.

<p>Join Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Speaker of the House and Ph.D. historian, for the most diverse, informative, and entertaining podcast available. Every episode is an education.</p>

Newt's World

Episode 1019: Greatest American Inventions — The Transistor

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d29b1120-1f0e-4dac-b33f-b496004f133c/transcript