Vintage Transistor books

This site contains my collection of vintage transistors and diodes books. The books are published from the early fifties till the late sixties. Enjoy the beautiful pictures and click on the picture for more details. Suggestions regarding these books or pictures are always welcome. I'm still looking for old published items to complete my collection, so if you would like to sell or exchange something, please contact me, jan@transparentsound.com.


 

CBS-Power Transistor Manual for the 2N155, 2N156 and 2N158 (1957):

       

The small two color leaflet in blue describes the following devices: 2N155, 2N156 and 2N158 Power Alloy-Junction Transistors. CBS commercial text in 1957 tells us; They have high power-handling capacity coupled with high current amplification. Manufacturing processes for these transistors have tight controls, extra purity precautions and an elaborate system of inspection and testing to assure, uniform characteristics of the end product. The spread between upper and lower limits of characteristics is narrow, eliminating any necessity for preselecting.

     

The 2N155 was sold in a TO3 metal can housing and the 2N156 and 2N158 both in a metal cylinder with a diameter of 0.58inch and a length of 0.8inch. The last two items with long connection leads. CBS types 2N155, 2N156 and 2N158 are PNP Alloy Junction Transistors. The 2N155 is especially designed for use in audio power output stages. Suitable applications for the 2N156 and 2N158 high power transistors are in servo amplifiers, power converters and low-speed switching circuits. The 2N155 and 2N156 operates from a 12 Volt supply and the 2N158 from a 24 Volt supply.


CBS-Hytron Transistor Manual (1953):

       

The small two color leaflet describes the following devices: PT-2A, PT-2S Point-Contact transistors, 2N36, 2N37 and 2N38 Junction Transistor. It tells us something about the theory, datasheet and some application notes. Most interesting issue in mine opinion is the vision of CBS-Hytron in 1953 to the future. CBS compares the vacuum tube with the new small devices and their advantages like, protection against this instability that results from the effects of moisture, light and surface contamination.


Transistors Theory and Practice (1954):

 
   

Transistors "Theory and practice" by Rufus P. Turner published in 1954. This is a book what explains the working of the transistor in all his quality, like the point contact, surface-barrier and diffused types. The book is full of examples, especially the handwritten drawings of the early transitor models what I liked it most.


The Transistor Age (1964):

The Transistor Age, published by Southwestern Bell is made to inform the people how transistors work and what kind of a impact they mean in our live at that time in 1964. This very small book (21pages) is full of illustrations and compares the tube versus the transistor in rocket technology. 

Transistors (Dutch), Age early fifties:

   

This small book is an introduction of the point contact and junction transistor in Holland. The author Mr. W. Tebra didn't thought that this new device would replace the Tube or Valve. He thought that the transistor get it's place separately with tubes. The "Transistor" is for hearing aids and small radio's. This book consists of two beautiful photo's one is the cover of a point contact device and the other one is an proto type junction transistor versus a tube 6AK5. The book Transistors was written by Mr. W. Tebra and published by Wimar in Haarlem (Holland)


Microwave Diode Handbook (Sylvania 1957):

Small book, 41pages with interesting know how about the microwave diode, like the 1N21, 1N23, etc. it tells us about the physical structure, electronic curves and a lot about overall noise. For me as collector I was happy surprised with the small overview of handy booklets for the electronic hobbyist. Like the "Germanium Crystals for Industrial Uses", "Crystal Diode, Crystal Kinks", Electronics Shortcuts for hobbyists" and "40 uses for Germanium Diodes", all coming from Sylvania Compagny.


 

28 Uses for Junction Transistors (Sylvania 1955):

 

In forty-eight pages, twenty-eight small interesting circuits based on Sylvania technology from the late fifties. Transistors like the 2N34, 2N35 and 2N68 are used for the circuits in the book. Me as analogue designer was surprised with a five Watt Push-Pull Audio Amplifier based on two 2N68 PNP Germanium Power transistors. I think that the 2N95 NPN complementary device of the 2N68 wasn't invented yet. The book has an simple setup and is very clear to read. It is an beautiful collectors items. There is no author for the book, only the text copyright 1955, "Sylvania Electric Products Inc." First edition, second printing.


28 Uses for Junction Transistors (Sylvania 1957):

 

The same as above but a later release, see small details like the third picture. This is a third edition from 1957.


Raytheon Transistor Applications (Raytheon mid fifties):

 

Fifty beautiful transistor applications build around Raytheon Junction Transistors. For me the most interesting part where the datasheets of the CK721, CK722 and Ck727. These data sheets are include all kind of characteristics, like Ic/Vcb, Ic/Vce and junction temp/ambient temp. The book ended with a short list of the most common devices at that time and their common values. The book is published by Raytheon, date unknown but I think around mid fifties.


(New) General Electric Transistor Manual (GE 1957):

 

This book consists of several nice transistor applications included interesting background of the used devices. Most interesting aspect of this small book is the datasheet archive from a 2N22 of Western Electric till the 2N434 of General Electric. Some transistors are missing in the list like the 2N76, 2N110, 2N407 and 2N410. Maybe more, I don't know. The list is copied and placed on my site see JEDEC-code page. Last item to mention are the outline drawings of the transistors, these are very useful for the real Transistor Collector.


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