Historical Timeline

By falcontec12
  • 1910 William Shockley is born

    1910 William Shockley is born

    William Shockley was born on February 13, 1910, in London, England, to American parents. His early exposure to science and engineering influenced his career path.
  • Graduates from Caltech

    Graduates from Caltech

    Shockley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the California Institute of Technology, developing a strong foundation in theoretical physics.
  • Earns a PhD from MIT

    Earns a PhD from MIT

    Shockley completed his doctorate in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied quantum mechanics and solid-state physics.
  • Joins Bell Labs

    Joins Bell Labs

    Shockley was hired by Bell Telephone Laboratories, where he began his work on semiconductors and solid-state physics, key to the invention of the transistor.
  • Begins Work on Semiconductor Theory

    Begins Work on Semiconductor Theory

    Shockley studied the properties of semiconductors, exploring how they could be used to amplify electrical signals.
  • Contributes to Radar Technology

    Contributes to Radar Technology

    During World War II, Shockley worked on radar and other military technologies, honing his problem-solving and leadership skills.
  • Post-War Return to Bell Labs

    Post-War Return to Bell Labs

    Shockley returned to Bell Labs after the war and focused on replacing vacuum tubes with a more efficient technology for signal amplification.
  • Collaborates with Bardeen and Brattain

    Collaborates with Bardeen and Brattain

    Shockley worked with John Bardeen and Walter Brattain at Bell Labs. They explored how semiconductors could control electrical current.
  • Invention of the Point-Contact Transistor

    Invention of the Point-Contact Transistor

    Bardeen and Brattain successfully built the first working transistor, though it was based on Shockley's earlier theories.
  • Proposes the Field-Effect Transistor

    Proposes the Field-Effect Transistor

    Shockley theorized the field-effect transistor but was unable to create a working prototype, leading to further experiments with team members John Bardeen and Walter Brattain.
  • Develops the Junction Transistor

    Develops the Junction Transistor

    Shockley invented the junction transistor, an improvement on the point-contact design, which became the basis for modern transistors.
  • Publishes "Electrons and Holes in Semiconductors"

    Publishes "Electrons and Holes in Semiconductors"

    Shockley's book became a seminal work in semiconductor physics, spreading knowledge of the transistor's principles.
  • Leads Semiconductor Research at Bell Labs

    Leads Semiconductor Research at Bell Labs

    Shockley continued to innovate in semiconductor research, solidifying the transistor's role in modern electronics.
  • Establishes Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory

    Establishes Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory

    Shockley founded a company to explore semiconductor technologies, paving the way for Silicon Valley's rise.
  • Wins Nobel Prize in Physics

    Wins Nobel Prize in Physics

    Shockley, along with Bardeen and Brattain, received the Nobel Prize for the invention of the transistor, acknowledging their collective achievement.
  • Transistor Revolutionizes Technology

    Transistor Revolutionizes Technology

    The invention of the transistor enabled advances in computing, telecommunications, and consumer electronics, fundamentally shaping the modern world.