Tag Archives: history
Science history: Invention of the transistor ushers in the computing era — Oct. 3, 1950
A replica of the first working transistor. The design used two thin pieces of gold, a coiled spring, and a slab of germanium. Transistors have come a long way since then, with some of the smallest measuring just an atom thick.(Image credit: Science & Society Picture Library via Getty Images)Quick factsMilestone: Transistor patented
Date: Oct. 3, 1950
Where: Bell Labs; Murray Hill, New Jersey
Who: John Bardeen, Walter Brattain and William ShockleyOn Oct. 3, 1950, three scientists at Bell Labs in New Jersey received a U.S. patent for what would become one of the most important inventions of the 20th century — the transistor.The transistor was initially designed because AT&T wanted to improve its telephone network. At the time, AT&T amplified and transmitted phone signals using triodes. These devices encased a positive and negative terminal and a wire...
History rarely records processes that culminate into decisions of prime ministers: Neerja Chowdhury
Politics tamfitronics Politics tamfitronics Story highlightsAward-winning journalist Neerja Chowdhury said that it was her notebooks which she had saved from her journalistic years that helped her bring out the bookWhere does the buck stop in the Indian politics? It stops at the highest office of the government, which is the throne of the prime minister. The prime minister is not only the eyes through which the country sees the world but is also the force that drives the country through its tumultuous as well as glorious phase. But underneath this cloak of the prime minister lives a human who sometimes makes mistakes, sometimes fears resistance to their decisions, and sometimes fails to battle all conflicts thrown at them.Award-winning journalist and political commentator Neerja Chowdhury in her book "How Prime Ministers Decide" attempts to tell the story...
Oral History with Stephen G. Jurczyk, 1962 – 2023
NASA Space Technology NASA Acting Administrator Stephen G. JurczykCredits: NASASandra L. JohnsonNov 07, 2024Steve Jurczyk’s NASA career began in 1988 at Langley Research Center as an engineer in the Electronic Systems Branch. During his time at Langley, he served in other roles, including director of engineering and director of research and technology. Jurczyk was named as director of Langley in 2014, then in 2015 he left Langley to serve as the associate administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. He quickly rose to the rank of associate administrator in 2018, and in January 2021 was named the agency’s acting administratorNASA Oral History, September 22, 1921NASA Honors Steve JurczykThe transcripts available on this site are created from audio-recorded oral history interviews. To preserve the integrity of the audio record, the transcripts are presented...
Oral History with Mary L. Cleave, 1947 – 2023
NASA Space Technology 61B-21-008 (26 Nov-1 Dec 1985) ---The STS 61-B crew on the flight deck of the earth-orbiting Atlantis. Left to right, back row, are astronauts Jerry L. Ross, Brewster Shaw Jr., Mary L. Cleave, and Bryan D. O'Connor; and payload specialist Rodolfo Neri. Front row, left to right, payload specialist Charles D. Walker and astronaut Sherwood C. Spring.Sandra L. JohnsonNov 07, 2024A veteran of two space flights, Dr. Cleave served as a mission specialist on STS-61B and STS-30. She went on to join NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and worked in the Laboratory for Hydrospheric Processes as the Project Manager for SeaWiFS, an ocean color sensor which is monitoring vegetation globally. Dr. Cleave next served as Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Earth Science, NASA Headquarters, until her retirement in 2007.NASA Oral History,...
