De Forest audion 1906-1915

Made:
1906-1915 in unknown place
De Forest Audion, unknown maker, 1906-1915 De Forest Audion, unknown maker, 1906-1915 Left: Original thermionic diode valve invented by Sir John

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De Forest Audion, unknown maker, 1906-1915
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

De Forest Audion, unknown maker, 1906-1915
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Left: Original thermionic diode valve invented by Sir John
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

De Forest Audion, unknown maker, 1906-1915.

In October 1906 American engineer Lee de Forest announced the invention of the audion at a meeting of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. De Forest had added a ‘grid’ to the thermionic valve which John Ambrose Fleming had invented and shared with the Marconi Company in 1904. De Forest’s innovation enabled the device to not only detect radio signals, but also amplify them. This was a crucial step in the development of radio engineering. A bitter battle over patents and credit for the devices followed between Fleming and de Forest.

Details

Category:
Electronic Components
Object Number:
1960-7
Materials:
glass and metal (unknown)
Measurements:
overall: 50 mm x 200 mm x 100 mm,
type:
thermionic valve
credit:
Donated by Capt. H.J. Round.