Before silicon became the ubiquitous material for transistors, germanium held the crown. The first transistors, developed in 1947 at Bell Laboratories, were crafted from germanium, a metalloid with unique electrical properties.

Germanium offered advantages like easier handling and the ability to amplify electrical signals more readily compared to vacuum tubes.

However, silicon eventually surpassed germanium due to its abundance, lower cost, and greater stability at higher temperatures.

Despite its historical significance, germanium’s use in transistors largely faded with the rise of silicon technology, becoming more specialized in applications like infrared optics and fiber optics.

Prompt:
Prior to the widespread use of silicon, what unconventional material was predominantly used in the creation of early transistors, revolutionizing electronics?