Changes

In December 1947, Bardeen had the insight that electrons formed a barrier on the surface, and Brattain worked that insight into a point-contact transistor.  It used strips of gold foil on a plastic triangle, held in contact by a slab of germanium.

In December 1947, Bardeen had the insight that electrons formed a barrier on the surface, and Brattain worked that insight into a point-contact transistor.  It used strips of gold foil on a plastic triangle, held in contact by a slab of germanium.

Shockley improved it to become the junction (sandwich) transistor.  Be mostly built it in a hotel room in Chicago. Once perfected, this was more durable than the point-contact transistor, and far easier to make.  Upon this the semiconductor industry was built.

Shockley improved it to become the junction (sandwich) transistor.  He mostly built it in a hotel room in Chicago. Once perfected, this was more durable than the point-contact transistor, and far easier to make.  Upon this the semiconductor industry was built.

Bell Labs announced the invention to the public on June 30, 1948.  Bell Labs engineer John Pierce gave it the name "transistor", a combination of "trans-resistance" with the names like thermistors.  

Bell Labs announced the invention to the public on June 30, 1948.  Bell Labs engineer John Pierce gave it the name "transistor", a combination of "trans-resistance" with the names like thermistors.