20) NEC Made a Head Start in Microwave Diodes

 
Photo A: Various types of transistors, diodes and silicon single crystals
in the early development stage at NEC


Photo B: Research note by Osafune on microwave diodes (Enlargeable)

As though chasing after the two preceding companies, Kobe-Kogyo and Sony, other Japanese makers also started development and production of semiconductor device of which transistors were the core. Above all, at NEC, Hiroe Osafune had started the study of the transistor in as early as September, 1949.
At the time, the company NEC, who received the designation of dissolution of Zaibatsu, the big financial combines, was forced to dismiss employees, and the storm of the strikes was sweeping along. And the eager suggestion of Osafune was turned down by saying "Do not talk about tomorrow's dinner when you cannot eat today's meal". Moreover, the research institute where he belonged to was driven into closedown at one time, and he had to carry out the development works in the engineering department of the vacuum tube factory.
He continued the study of transistors for some time in this department, but with the condition of "no budget." Although NEC’s transistor research started at an early timing, their production start was delayed to 1958.
They paid their attention to silicon in anticipation of difficulty of germanium acquisition, thereby giving priority to the production of microwave diodes. He confided it to me, saying "The aim was correctly hit and NEC could lead in microwave partly because of this, but we fell behind in transistors adversely."
Photograph A shows various transistors, diodes and silicon crystal in the early development stage at NEC, and you can read handwriting of Osafune, "a grave of the transistors in successive generations" on the cover of the case on the right hand side.
Photograph B is a research note by Osafune on microwave diodes.
(By courtesy of Hiroe Osafune)

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