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100 years of electronics

  • 29. July 2021

Electronics is a branch of physics (hence of electrical engineering) that analyses the emission and the effects of electrons in relationship to electronic devices.

There is no consensus on the definition; however Electronics comprises the physics, engineering and applications that deal with the control of electrons in vacuum. Electronics uses active devices to control the electron flow, which distinguishes it from regular electrical engineering that uses passive effects such as resistance, capacitance and inductance to control the current flow.

Since 1897, along with the subsequent invention of the vacuum tube which could amplify and rectify small electrical signals; the field of electronics arose and the electron age began. Until 1950, electronics was called “radio technology” because its main application was the design and study of radio transmitters, receivers, and vacuum tubes. Then onwards it was used in its broader sense with advances in knowledge about the fundamental nature of electrons meaning to learned more about the motion of these particles and how they could be utilized.

It goes without saying that electronics covers a broader range of technology.

Today there are many scientific and technical fields dealing with different aspects of electronics. Research in these domains led to the development of these key devices: transistors, integrated circuits, lasers and optical fibers. These in turn have made it possible for manufacturing to create a wide array of electronic consumer, industrial, and military products.

It can be summarized that the world is in the midst of an electronic revolution at least as significant as the industrial revolution of the 19th century.