The reason why technology is so awesome these days is thanks to the invention of the transistor (although inventions working up to this one was as important but not as profound). I know I’ve been writing mostly about financial stuff because those topics have been more on my mind, but I do need to share some technical stuff.

What the heck is a transistor anyways?

I will be honest to say that I did not know what one was until I entered college. Sure I’ve heard the term before and knew that tube amps (the non-silicon old school version of the transistor) were used in audio amplifiers. As a master’s student in electrical engineering I should feel a bit ashamed!!! The transistor is a semiconductor material (historically made of silicon but other materials have been used in newer technologies) that is used for electrical switching and amplification purposes.

Why do we want to switch and amplify?

Thanks to these bad boys you have an iPod, or the computer you’re staring at and even your microwave (and interestingly in your toilet if you have one of those fancy bidet toilets that warms your seats.). If you think of your light switch there are two states: on and off. In all computing devices (which is included in most electronic components) its functionality can be broken down to a complex network of these on and off switches. For example an Intel Core 2 family processor has about half a billion transistors.

The amplification is necesarry as well. When people talk about “analog” or “digital” electronics, the core of analog electronics is amplifiers. Your cell phone for example uses amplification to send and receive RF signals from thin air. Also there are analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog circuits in there that are used to process incoming voice signals and also to blast your tiny speakers so you can hear the person on the other end. Still not impressed?

Why should I care about these nerdy things?

What inspired me to write this is the article written by Jack Ganssel on Embedded.com. It had changed how today is. We rely on this invention highly and just imagine if everything that had transistors embedded in them were taken away from us. See yourself in front of your PC at home. First there will be no PC, no thermostat to control your heat this winter, no television, no radio, and most likely your power and water sources since they may be controlled electronically by the plant. So basically you’re back in the 1800’s.

There are plenty of companies that dedicate making these chips crammed with semiconductors. There are also a good handful in the Fortune 500 (Intel leading at 62 on the list) , as well as companies that rely on these chips to make their products. Despite the scare of Moore’s Law, the industry isn’t going anywhere. It is full of very intelligent (and nerdy) people and will continue to thrive and innovate.http://www.embedded.com/columns/breakpoint/204300309 I hope this has gotten your attention to appreciate such a great invention!