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)