Transistors From Around The World


During the time I have been collecting old transistors I have been fortunate to become friends with several people around the world who have found my Internet web pages. Many have sent examples of transistors from their countries. This page is dedicated to pictures of some of these devices.

Mr. Masahiro Nakahori lives in Japan and was kind enough to send me a very generous collection of early Japanese transistors and diodes. It would be impossible to include pictures and documentation of all the items he provided, but I tried to select several representative devices  for inclusion on this page. Below are four beautiful examples of late 1950's Japanese germanium diodes. I believe this image confirms my opinion that semiconductors were much more interesting before their designs became standardized.

Similarly here are four late 1950's Japanese germanium transistors. From left to right is a cylindrical Sony with inline leads, followed by three flat ovals with offset inline leads... a Hitachi, another Sony, and an NEC. These are all new devices with full leads, a condition in which they are undoubtedly very difficult to find.

Finally, here are some very attractive examples of original Japanese packaging art. First is a ten pack of Toshiba silicon diodes.

And lastly, here are both sides of the same transistor box... one side primarily in Japanese and the other in English.

Thanks again to Masahiro for presenting me with such wonderful gifts!


My friend Christian Wolff in Germany sent two examples of a Telefunken OD603 transistor. It was used in the audio output stages of the tube/transistor hybrid radio in his 1964 Volkswagen. At the top of the following is an intact example of this interesting transistor. At first glance it looks similar to a standard U.S. TO-3 style device but looks can be deceiving as seen in the "exploded" components below.

I thought I was the only one crazy enough to cut open a transistor to see what is inside, but Christian has proved that this desire can be found world-wide. Below is a closeup of the OD603 and its massive heatsink. Thanks for sharing Christian!



Here are some examples of transistors which were made in the mid to late 1960's in the Soviet Union. In general the cases are very similar to their U.S. counterparts, perhaps due to design "borrowing". The markings provide the main clues to their origin. One exception is the neat looking diode in the center with flat leads. Visible on the right end is the glass casing which is almose totally surrounded by a metal shell.



Mr. R. K. Murthy, who lives in India, sent the following transistors which were found as new old stock in his local electronics parts store. They date from the 1960's and were made by Mullard in Holland. I have found examples similar to the bullet shaped OC75 and OC71 in early American hearing aids I have acquired. Those transistors were marked as being made by Amperex in Holland.



My friend Alan Kastner sent me the examples below of first generation transistors made in 1958 by National in Japan. The color coding certainly makes them among the most attractive transistors you will find. The unique "bullet" shape indicates their European heritage (compare with the Mullard OC71 shown above). National of Japan operated under an agreement with the giant European electronics manufacturer Phillips who originated this style. Alan lives in Japan and has an excellent web site called  Radio Wallah which is definitely worth a visit.

Thanks again to all who have contributed!


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