History, Present Status, and Future Developments of Electronic Components

The character of the factors involved in the development of the older kinds of electronic components during the past several decades is examined by considering a few typical components. It is seen that advances in performance capabilities have occurred mainly as a consequence of incremental improvements in materials and processes and not as a result of radically new technology. The extent to which further significant advances may be realized from continued effort along traditional lines is questioned. Attention is called to the rapidly growing area of knowledge in solid-state physics and electronics associated with the development of new solid-state devices during the past decade. It is suggested that the most rapid and significant progress may be made by applying the findings of modern research in physics, chemistry, and electronics to the development of new concepts in devices and methods for accomplishing the electrical functions of the older varieties of component parts.