Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE – QUEZON CITY
QUEZON CITY SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Brgy. Sto. Cristo, Quezon city

BRIEF HISTORY ELECTRONICS

Content Standard
➢ The learners demonstrate understanding of the underlying concepts of basic electronics.

Performance Standard
➢ The learner independently demonstrates knowledge and skills in understanding and applying the basic concepts
on electronics.

Learning Competencies
➢ 1.1 Discuss the brief history of Electronics.
➢ 1.2 List some milestone in the history of the development of electronics

Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
➢ Gain an understanding of the major milestones and technological advancements in the history of electronics,
from early discoveries of electricity to modern semiconductor devices and digital technologies.
➢ Explore how various electronic inventions and developments, such as the transistor, integrated circuit, and
microprocessor, have revolutionized communication, computing, and various industries, shaping modern
society.
➢ Examine the current trends in electronics, including the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, and
artificial intelligence (AI), and discuss their potential implications for the future of technology and daily life.

A Brief History of Electronics

Electronics is a branch of science that deals with the study and application of electronic devices and
circuits. The field has rapidly evolved over the last century, revolutionizing the way we live, communicate, and
work.

Early Beginnings

1. Discovery of Electricity
✓ Thales of Miletus (600 BCE): Observed that rubbing amber with fur attracted small objects,
an early observation of static electricity.
✓ William Gilbert (1600): Coined the term "electricity" and distinguished between magnetism
and electricity in his work "De Magnete."

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2. The Leyden Jar (1745)
✓ The Leyden jar, invented independently by Pieter van Musschenbroek and Ewald Georg von
Kleist.
✓ It was the first device capable of storing electric charge.

3. The Birth of Electronic Components

✓ Vacuum Tubes (1904)
o John Ambrose Fleming: Invented the first vacuum tube, the diode, in 1904. It could
rectify alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).
o Lee De Forest (1906): Developed the triode, an improvement over the diode, which
could amplify electrical signals. This invention laid the foundation for early electronics
and radio.
✓ The Transistor (1947)
o John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley: Invented the first transistor
at Bell Laboratories. The transistor could amplify and switch electronic signals,
making it a revolutionary component in electronics.

4. The Rise of Semiconductors

✓ The Integrated Circuit (1958)
o Jack Kilby (Texas Instruments) and Robert Noyce (Fairchild Semiconductor):
Independently developed the integrated circuit (IC), which combined multiple
transistors and electronic components on a single chip.
✓ The Microprocessor (1971)
o Intel 4004: The world's first microprocessor, developed by Intel, integrated the
functions of a central processing unit (CPU) onto a single chip, revolutionizing
computing.

5. The Digital Revolution

✓ Personal Computers (1980s)
o The 1980s saw the rise of personal computers (PCs), making computing accessible
to the general public. Key players included IBM, Apple, and Microsoft.
✓ The Internet and Digital Age
o The development of the internet and digital communication technologies in the late
20th century transformed global communication, commerce, and culture.

6. Modern Advances in Electronics

✓ Nanotechnology and Quantum Computing
o Advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of smaller, faster, and
more efficient electronic devices. Quantum computing is an emerging field with the
potential to revolutionize computing power.
✓ The Internet of Things (IoT)
o The IoT connects everyday objects to the internet, allowing them to send and receive
data. This technology is transforming industries like healthcare, agriculture, and
home automation.

1. Electricity: A form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles.

2. Vacuum Tube: An electronic device that controls electric current between electrodes in an
evacuated container.
3. Transistor: A semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals.
Integrated Circuit (IC): A set of electronic circuits on a small plate ("chip") of semiconductor material.

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 4. Microprocessor: The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer, typically on a single integrated
circuit.

Key Electronic Milestones

1. Discovery of Electricity
• Thales of Miletus (circa 600 BCE): Observed static electricity by rubbing amber with fur.
2. Early Electrical Devices
• The Leyden Jar (1745): The first device capable of storing electric charge, independently invented by
Pieter van Musschenbroek and Ewald Georg von Kleist.
3. Electrical Telegraph and Communication
• Samuel Morse (1837): Developed the Morse code and the telegraph, enabling long-distance
communication.
4. Invention of the Telephone
• Alexander Graham Bell (1876): Invented the telephone, revolutionizing voice communication.
5. Vacuum Tubes
• John Ambrose Fleming (1904): Invented the diode, the first vacuum tube used to rectify AC to DC.
• Lee De Forest (1906): Invented the triode, a vacuum tube that could amplify electrical signals, leading
to radio and audio amplification.
6. Birth of Radio and Television
• Guglielmo Marconi (1895): Conducted the first successful radio communication.
• John Logie Baird (1925): Demonstrated the first television system capable of transmitting live moving
images.
7. The Transistor
• John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley (1947): Invented the first practical transistor at
Bell Laboratories, replacing vacuum tubes in many applications.
8. The Integrated Circuit (IC)
• Jack Kilby (1958) and Robert Noyce (1959): Developed the integrated circuit, enabling the
miniaturization of electronic circuits.
9. The Microprocessor
• Intel 4004 (1971): The first commercially available microprocessor, revolutionizing computing by
integrating the functions of a CPU onto a single chip.
10. Personal Computers
• Apple II (1977): One of the first highly successful mass-produced personal computers.
• IBM PC (1981): Set the standard for PC architecture.
11. The Digital Revolution
• The Internet (1960s-1990s): Evolved from ARPANET, leading to the World Wide Web and the digital
age of communication.
• World Wide Web (1989): Invented by Tim Berners-Lee, revolutionizing information sharing and
connectivity.
12. Mobile Communications
• Motorola DynaTAC (1983): The first commercially available handheld mobile phone.
• Smartphones (2007): The release of the Apple iPhone marked a significant advancement in mobile
computing and communication.
13. Advances in Semiconductor Technology
• Moore's Law (1965): Prediction by Gordon Moore that the number of transistors on a chip would double
approximately every two years, driving exponential growth in computing power.
14. Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
• Advent of Digital Music and Video: The development of digital formats like MP3 and MPEG
revolutionized media storage and distribution.
15. The Internet of Things (IoT)
• Early 21st Century: Proliferation of interconnected devices, enabling data collection and control across
various applications.
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16. Modern Innovations
• Quantum Computing: An emerging field promising to exponentially increase computational power.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Integrating AI with electronics, from smart devices to autonomous systems.

Modern Electronics Impact

1. Communication and Connectivity
• Global Communication: The development of smartphones, the internet, and wireless technologies has
revolutionized global communication, making it instantaneous and accessible. Platforms like social
media, messaging apps, and video conferencing have transformed personal and professional
interactions.
• Internet of Things (IoT): IoT devices connect everyday objects to the internet, enabling them to send
and receive data. This connectivity enhances efficiency and convenience in various sectors, including
smart homes, healthcare, and industrial automation.
2. Computing and Information Technology
• Personal Computing: The proliferation of personal computers, laptops, and mobile devices has made
computing power widely accessible, transforming education, entertainment, and work.
• Cloud Computing: Cloud services provide scalable and on-demand computing resources,
revolutionizing data storage, software delivery, and IT infrastructure management.
• Big Data and Analytics: The ability to collect, store, and analyze massive amounts of data has led to
significant advancements in fields like business intelligence, research, and personalized marketing.
3. Healthcare and Medicine
• Medical Devices: Advanced electronics have led to the development of sophisticated medical devices
such as MRI machines, CT scanners, pacemakers, and wearable health monitors. These devices
improve diagnostics, treatment, and patient monitoring.
• Telemedicine: The rise of digital communication tools has enabled telemedicine, allowing patients to
consult with healthcare providers remotely, improving access to medical care.
• Health Informatics: Electronic health records (EHRs) and other digital systems enhance the
management and analysis of patient data, improving healthcare delivery and research.
4. Entertainment and Media
• Digital Media: Electronics have revolutionized the creation, distribution, and consumption of media.
Streaming services, digital music, and online gaming have become dominant forms of entertainment.
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): These technologies provide immersive experiences,
impacting gaming, training, education, and virtual tourism.
5. Industry and Manufacturing
• Automation and Robotics: Electronics have enabled the automation of manufacturing processes,
increasing efficiency, precision, and safety. Robotics and industrial automation systems are
transforming industries from automotive to pharmaceuticals.
• Supply Chain Management: Technologies like RFID and IoT improve inventory tracking, logistics, and
overall supply chain efficiency.
6. Energy and Environment
• Renewable Energy Technologies: Electronics play a crucial role in the development and management
of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Smart grids use electronics to optimize energy
distribution and consumption.
• Energy Efficiency: Advances in electronics have led to more energy-efficient devices, reducing power
consumption and environmental impact.
7. Transportation
• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Electronics are central to the operation of EVs, from battery management
systems to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
• Autonomous Vehicles: Electronics and AI are key to the development of self-driving cars, promising to
revolutionize transportation by improving safety and efficiency.
8. Financial Services
• Digital Payments: The rise of electronic payment systems, including mobile wallets and online banking,
has transformed the financial landscape, offering convenience and expanding financial inclusion.

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 • Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain: These technologies are reshaping finance, providing new ways to
conduct transactions and manage data securely.
9. Education
• E-Learning and Online Education: Electronics have made education more accessible through online
courses, digital textbooks, and interactive learning platforms, enabling lifelong learning.
• Educational Tools: Interactive whiteboards, digital projectors, and tablets enhance classroom
experiences and facilitate diverse learning methods.
10. Security and Safety
• Surveillance and Security Systems: Modern electronics enable sophisticated surveillance systems,
enhancing security in public and private spaces.
• Cybersecurity: As dependence on digital systems grows, cybersecurity has become critical in protecting
data and infrastructure from cyber threats.
11. Space Exploration and Research
• Space Technology: Advances in electronics have enabled the development of satellites, space probes,
and other technologies crucial for space exploration and observation.
• Scientific Research: Electronics facilitate advanced research in various fields, including physics,
biology, and environmental science, through instruments like particle accelerators and microscopes.

Allam 2024