Walter Houser Brattain

Replica-of-first-transistor

Bardeen Shockley Brattain 1948

Walter Houser Brattain (February 10, 1902 – October 13, 1987) was an American physicist and inventor who, along with John Bardeen and William Shockley, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956 for their joint invention of the transistor. This groundbreaking development revolutionized the electronics industry, paving the way for the development of almost all modern electronic devices, from computers and smartphones to radios and televisions.

Early Life and Education

Walter Houser Brattain was born in Amoy, China, to American parents who were teaching there. The family returned to the United States and settled in Washington state when Brattain was a young boy. He showed an early interest in science and mathematics, which was encouraged by his family and teachers.

Brattain attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, where he earned his bachelor's degree in physics in 1924. He then went on to complete his master's degree at the University of Oregon in 1926 and received his Ph.D. in physics from Princeton University in 1929. His doctoral research focused on the atomic structure of silvery metals and their properties.

Career and Contributions

After completing his Ph.D., Brattain joined Bell Labs in 1929, where he would spend the majority of his career. His early work at Bell Labs involved research on the surface properties of solids, particularly on the adsorption of gases on metal surfaces. This work laid the foundation for his later contributions to the invention of the transistor.

In the late 1940s, Brattain, along with John Bardeen and William Shockley, began experimenting with semiconductors to create a solid-state device that could amplify electrical signals. Their efforts culminated in the invention of the point-contact transistor in 1947, a device that could amplify and switch electronic signals much more efficiently than the vacuum tubes used at the time. This invention was publicly announced in 1948 and marked the beginning of the semiconductor era in electronics.

The transistor's impact on technology and society was profound, leading to the miniaturization of electronic devices and the development of the modern electronics industry. For their work, Brattain, Bardeen, and Shockley were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956.

Later Life and Legacy

After his Nobel Prize win, Brattain continued to work at Bell Labs until his retirement in 1967. He remained active in the field of education, teaching and lecturing at various institutions. Brattain was known for his modesty and his collaborative approach to research.

Walter Houser Brattain passed away on October 13, 1987, leaving behind a legacy that transformed the world of electronics and technology. His work on the transistor has been recognized as one of the most important technological achievements of the 20th century.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Brattain received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including:

• The Stuart Ballantine Medal from the Franklin Institute
• Election to the National Academy of Sciences
• The John Scott Medal

His contributions to physics and engineering have had a lasting impact, influencing countless innovations in the field of electronics and beyond.