The amplification ability of germanium transistors varies greatly as temperatures rise above room level. Development and commercial availability of a silicon transistor thus radically broadens the heretofore limited field of application for transistors. Even with the former handicaps of low power output and high temperature sensitivity, the substitution of transistors for vacuum tubes has been making great headway because of advantages in size, power consumption, and reliability. Hearing aides have been the largest single user, with the combination of a wide range of commercial and military applications coming close behind. Texas Instruments announced that the new silicon transistors are already in small, but growing, volume production and that units are immediately available on a limited quantity basis to insure the widest possible distribution.
Price is to be announced.
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