Power Milestones
Year |
Milestone |
Innovator |
|---|---|---|
1975 |
PWM controller IC |
Bob Mammano, Silicon General |
1979 |
First commercially viable power MOSFET |
Dr. Alex Lidow, International Rectifier |
1984 |
First high-density brick dc-dc converter |
Dr. Patrizio Vinciarelli, Vicor |
1991 |
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries |
Keizaburo Tozawa, Sony |
What advances in power have contributed most to the development of today’s electronics industry? Numerous companies and individuals have the distinction of being “the first” to design or launch commercial products that have had a broad impact on the industry. And this influence isn’t limited to power devices – organizations have formed, standards have been developed, business and manufacturing techniques have been implemented that were a turning point in the electronics industry.
This timeline is a starting point to submit your candidates for “milestones that mattered” in power. We are using an accepted parameter of nothing more recent than 10 years ago (1996) to determine a milestone. Please give us your suggestions and include the milestone product or development; the person and company who developed or led its development; and the year of introduction. Submit to Linnea Brush.
We will update the timeline every week or two as submissions are made. Check back regularly, and give us any additional information or stories that you think are interesting!
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Did You Know?
Primitive batteries capable of producing ½ volt of electricity were made in Mesopotamia between around 200 B.C. and 200 A.D. They were used mainly for electroplating silver onto copper.