 RCA Memorabilia Company: Radio Corporation of America (RCA)
Based: New York, NY. Founded: 1919 (founded as the Radio Corp. of America by GE to acquire Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. of America. Taken-over by GE in 1986) Founder: General Electric Corporation (GE) Specialty: Developing Vacuum tubes, televisions, military & space electronics, satellite communications. Early and substantial contributor to the development of the transistor.Developed commercial mainframe computer systems during the late 1950's & 60's. One of the largest and most influential electronics companies during the 20th century. |  RCA's first commerical computer - The 'BIZMAC' (1956) |
RCA - An early Computer Pioneer
"From Vacuum tubes to Solid state"
An RCA Core Memory Ad (1964)
Radio Corporation of America (RCA), was an early supplier of vacuum tubes from radio industry and other electronics. RCA was one of the eight major computer companies (along with Burroughs, Honeywell, Control Data Corporation, NCR, IBM, General Electric and UNIVAC) through-out most of the 1960s.
RCA's turnaround was its computer division. It was started in 1958 by Sarnoff and then RCA President John Burns. RCA abandoned computers in 1971.
Early RCA computer models included the RCA 300, RCA 301, RCA 501, RCA 601
The history of computing hardware starting at 1960 is marked by the conversion from Vacuum Tubes to Solid State Transistors and later the Integrated Circuit. By 1959 discrete transistors were considered sufficiently reliable and economical that they made further vacuum tube computers inefficient and uncompetitive. Computer main memory slowly moved away from Magnetic Core Memory devices to solid-state static and dynamic semiconductor memory, which greatly reduced the cost, size and power consumption of computer devices.
RCA's turnaround was its computer division. It was started in 1958 by Sarnoff and then RCA President John Burns. RCA abandoned computers in 1971.
Early RCA computer models included the RCA 300, RCA 301, RCA 501, RCA 601
The history of computing hardware starting at 1960 is marked by the conversion from Vacuum Tubes to Solid State Transistors and later the Integrated Circuit. By 1959 discrete transistors were considered sufficiently reliable and economical that they made further vacuum tube computers inefficient and uncompetitive. Computer main memory slowly moved away from Magnetic Core Memory devices to solid-state static and dynamic semiconductor memory, which greatly reduced the cost, size and power consumption of computer devices.
RCA Micromodule Assembly Display (1958-60) Item #065
On March 18th 1959 the U.S. Army Signal Corps and RCA announced development of micromodules for electronic devices which ultimately could permit 500k components to be packed into a cubic inch of space.
As electronic systems grew more complex, engineers sought simpler ways to interconnect the thousands of transistors used to implement them. Government agencies funded micro-module and multi-chip hybrid circuit projects in search of a solution to this “tyranny of numbers” problem. The micromodule and other ‘lego-like’ alternatives were a clever solution to the problem of interconnections. While these techniques substantially enhanced the reliability of electronic components, however, the interconnections were still there, functioning as a physical limit to further miniaturization. In 1958, the U.S. Air Force and Westinghouse adopted the term ‘molecular electronics’ in order to describe their radical joint research program that aimed to leapfrog beyond both the conventional approach to circuit integration proposed by RCA and the U.S. Army Signal Corps and the burgeoning efforts to build monolithic integrated circuits at Fairchild Semiconductor and Texas Instruments. Because of the introduction of integrated circuits in 1960 there was no production of micro module equipment and the Micro-module packaging technology quickly became obsolete. This rare Lucite display contains actual components showing each of the steps necessary to manufacture a Micro-module: an end wafer, transistor, diode, ceramic capacitor, electronic capacitor, resistor & end wafer. At the end of the arrow are two assembled micro modules, one is the stacked and soldered micro module and another is finished product and is encapsulated. These Micro-modules were manufactured at RCA's Semiconductor and Materials Division in Somerville, New Jersey. Measures 6 x 4" x 1" thick. More information on Micromodules |
 Close up of RCA micromodule components |  Close up of RCA micromodule |
RCA 501 Computer 2N581 Transistor and Magnetic Core Memory (1958)
Item #497
The RCA Model 501 Electronic Data Processing System (EDP), released in 1958, was the first commercial fully transistorized EDP system, replacing the Vacuum Tube technology of the previous model, the RCA BIZMAC (released two years earlier in 1956).
The 501's many transistors were mounted onto PCB module cards. 16k Memory was standard and was composed of Magnetic Core Memory Modules. RCA eventually withdrew from computer manufacturing in 1971.
Clear Lucite paperweight has an actual RCA 2N581 transistor as well as a bunch of Core Memory "Doughnuts". Item has "RCA 501" and "Electronic Data Processing System" embedded inside as well.
List of all the RCA Transistors used in the RCA 501 system:
RCA #3696, 3696A, 3697, 3697A, 2N1495, 2N1289, and the 2N581.
The 501's many transistors were mounted onto PCB module cards. 16k Memory was standard and was composed of Magnetic Core Memory Modules. RCA eventually withdrew from computer manufacturing in 1971.
Clear Lucite paperweight has an actual RCA 2N581 transistor as well as a bunch of Core Memory "Doughnuts". Item has "RCA 501" and "Electronic Data Processing System" embedded inside as well.
List of all the RCA Transistors used in the RCA 501 system:
RCA #3696, 3696A, 3697, 3697A, 2N1495, 2N1289, and the 2N581.
RCA 301 Electronic Data Processing System Mainframe Computer (1960)
Item #442
The RCA 301 Electronic Data Processing System was a business oriented medium sized computer with central memory built from magnetic cores. Its logic circuits used solid state circuits made from discrete transistors and diodes.
The RCA 301 was offered with between 10k to 40k of core memory. Input was from Magnetic tape, paper tape or punch cards.
Clear Lucite paperweight with a white backing. The graphics are wonderful with a black and white mainframe computer with chair in the upper left, and an arrow comprised of keypunch cards pointing to actual metal typeset embedded within the acrylic at the bottom.
Measures 2 1/4" square, it is tapered when standing, from a thickness of 7/8" at the bottom to 11/16" at the top.
The RCA 301 was offered with between 10k to 40k of core memory. Input was from Magnetic tape, paper tape or punch cards.
Clear Lucite paperweight with a white backing. The graphics are wonderful with a black and white mainframe computer with chair in the upper left, and an arrow comprised of keypunch cards pointing to actual metal typeset embedded within the acrylic at the bottom.
Measures 2 1/4" square, it is tapered when standing, from a thickness of 7/8" at the bottom to 11/16" at the top.
|  Close up of the RCA 301 computer type set  Close up of the 301 Computer & Punch Cards |
RCA Early Germanium Television Transistors (1953)
Item #457
In 1952 RCA engineers were busy experimenting with new Transistor designs with goals of developing the worlds first experimental All-Transistor Television.
In 1953 RCA introduced to the public the First Transistorized Television using Transistors similar to these.
The earliest Junction Transistors were constructed using glass bases with molded epoxy encapsulation surrounding the circuitry. It was soon discovered that this construction process led to moisture contamination and caused the Transistors to fail prematurely. Most manufactures would quickly change to the new process of using hermetically sealed metal cases which solved the issue with premature failure.
Clear Lucite paperweight with two early examples of RCA Germanium Transistors embedded inside. The white one (L) is a low power Germanium Alloy Junction Transistor used for Audio circuits. The clear one (R) is a Germanium Point Contact Transistor used for RF/IF high frequency circuits. Has the RCA logo button made of brass and red enamel embedded inside as well.
Measures 1" X 2 3/4" X 3 3/4".
In 1953 RCA introduced to the public the First Transistorized Television using Transistors similar to these.
The earliest Junction Transistors were constructed using glass bases with molded epoxy encapsulation surrounding the circuitry. It was soon discovered that this construction process led to moisture contamination and caused the Transistors to fail prematurely. Most manufactures would quickly change to the new process of using hermetically sealed metal cases which solved the issue with premature failure.
Clear Lucite paperweight with two early examples of RCA Germanium Transistors embedded inside. The white one (L) is a low power Germanium Alloy Junction Transistor used for Audio circuits. The clear one (R) is a Germanium Point Contact Transistor used for RF/IF high frequency circuits. Has the RCA logo button made of brass and red enamel embedded inside as well.
Measures 1" X 2 3/4" X 3 3/4".
|  RCA Point Contact Transistor Germanium & 'Whiskers' |
|  The first transitorized television, invented at RCA (1953) |
RCA Video Data Terminal Character Generator (Mid to Late 1950's)
Item #570
This paperweight contains a character generator's Stencil (or Mask) made by RCA for use with an RCA computer's Video Data Terminal (VDT). The VDT was made up of an electron gun, the character generator mask (stencil), beam deflectors, and a phosphor coated screen, all sealed in a glass vacuum tube.
RCA applied for the contract to manufacture the new SAGE Radar computer system for the U.S. Government, but it ultimately was awarded to IBM. RCA was also competing with both General Dynamics and Hughes for VDT display technologies for use with the advanced display systems updates for the SAGE computer and radar system during the Mid to late 1950's time period.
The development of the SAGE computer display systems in the 1950's introduced the computer user to the CRT as a viable display and interaction interface.
RCA applied for the contract to manufacture the new SAGE Radar computer system for the U.S. Government, but it ultimately was awarded to IBM. RCA was also competing with both General Dynamics and Hughes for VDT display technologies for use with the advanced display systems updates for the SAGE computer and radar system during the Mid to late 1950's time period.
The development of the SAGE computer display systems in the 1950's introduced the computer user to the CRT as a viable display and interaction interface.
RCA Semiconductor Transistor Salesman's Sample (Mid 1960s)
Item #590
This is an RCA Semiconductor salesman's sample. It would have been used out in the field to show potential RCA customers the various types of transistors & computer diodes available for sale at that time.
Clear plastic case features four different types of RCA semiconductor components including transistors & computer diodes (each part shows an example of a sealed component and an un-encapsulated component) mounted on a red plastic base - The small size: gold RCA 2N1708 , the Multiple Diode: RCA 3DG001, the High Reliability: RCA 3907 / 2N404, The Ultra High Speed: gold RCA 2N955.
Cover reads: "Semiconductor Products, Radio Corporation of America, Semiconductor and Materials Division, Somerville New Jersey"
Clear plastic case features four different types of RCA semiconductor components including transistors & computer diodes (each part shows an example of a sealed component and an un-encapsulated component) mounted on a red plastic base - The small size: gold RCA 2N1708 , the Multiple Diode: RCA 3DG001, the High Reliability: RCA 3907 / 2N404, The Ultra High Speed: gold RCA 2N955.
Cover reads: "Semiconductor Products, Radio Corporation of America, Semiconductor and Materials Division, Somerville New Jersey"
|  RCA 3DG001 Multiple Diode Close-Up |
RCA Spectra Computer Chip Tie Tack (1965)
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The RCA "Spectra 70" was a Third generation computer that featured the industry's first monolithic integrated circuit in a full scale electronic data processing system.
This is a RCA Spectra Tie Tack that features a circuitry motif and has an actual RCA Spectra Computer chip mounted in the center. Marked on the back is "RCA Spectra 70".
Measures 1/2" square.
This is a RCA Spectra Tie Tack that features a circuitry motif and has an actual RCA Spectra Computer chip mounted in the center. Marked on the back is "RCA Spectra 70".
Measures 1/2" square.
The RCA Spectra 70 Computer System (1965)
RCA VERSAWATT Power Transistor (1978)
Item #455
This 3 lead RCA VERSAWATT power transistor is encased in a clear block of Lucite with white background. Comes in it's original box with pamphlet which explains the "volumetric efficiency" of the RCA VERSAWATT.
The VERSAWATT power transistor was designed for medium-power Linear & switching service in consumer, automotive & industrial applications.
The VERSAWATT power transistor was designed for medium-power Linear & switching service in consumer, automotive & industrial applications.
 RCA Power Transistor |  RCA Power Transistor |
 RCA VERSAWATT Specifications sheet |
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