The RCA Selectron -- US Patent 2,424,289 The Computron

Richard L. Snyder, Jr., Radio Corporation of America
Jan A. Rajchman, Radio Corporation of America
Applied: 30 July, 1943
Granted: 22 July, 1947



Electron bombardment of certain materials under certain conditions results in the ejection of the so-called secondary electrons. The ratio of electrons ejected versus electron received can be greater than unity, or less than unity, allowing either a net gain or a net loss of electrons. This change of charge results in a change of potential. The curves of the emission ratio can have both positive and negative slopes resulting in a system which can attain bi-stability of potential. This bi-level characteristic lends itself to the modern "digital" concepts.

While many 21st Century techno-wonks argue whether it was Kilby or Noyce who "invented" the integrated circuit, the '289 patent anticipates both their concepts of "integration". In three-dimensions no less. This device could perform a 14-bit full multiply in 5 microseconds. Although the prototype was never assembled beyond a 2 by 2 bit multiplier, the concept was, and still is, remarkable.

The names of Richard L. Snyder, Jr., and Jan A. Rajchman should not be left behind just because our technlogy of SiGe stressed super-lattice semiconductors with 7 nanometre line rules is the the latest magic. Some of the ancient magic is still impressive: A true digital integrated circuit existed at the Princeton Laboratories of the Radio Corporation of America in the early 1940s: The Computron.


US Patent 2,424,289 -- Images on the left, text on the right

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