The transistorA tiny semiconductor switch that can amplify or gate signals — replaced relays and enabled compact computers. replaced fragile vacuum tubeAn electronic component using evacuated glass tubes — predated transistors in radios, TVs, and early computers.s with solid-state switches small enough to pack by the billion. Microprocessors, RAMRandom access memory — fast volatile memory used while programs run., flash storage, and every pocket device trace to this December demo directed by William Shockley, who later designed the junction transistorA tiny semiconductor switch that can amplify or gate signals — replaced relays and enabled compact computers..

The transistorA tiny semiconductor switch that can amplify or gate signals — replaced relays and enabled compact computers. is the hardware breakthrough that made modern electronics possible.

It enabled miniaturization, reliability, and the semiconductorA material whose conductivity can be controlled — silicon semiconductors are the basis of almost all computer chips. industry.