Transistors (Changing Bits)
The most important invention in the history of computers is (arguably) the transistor. A transistor can serve two purposes:
- It can amplify a signal (transistor radio).
- It can switch on and off ridiculously fast. This fast switching is what allows a computer to make decisions very fast.

By commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Inductiveload
Think of a transistor like a
gate
which either allows electricity through (1) or blocks it (0). If a small amount of electricity is applied to the base
pin, whatever is on the collector
pin is permitted through the emitter
pin..gif?alt=media&token=0645ed71-51c8-4702-bc7e-3ea987c41ed1)
When the base is "on" the electricity flows out the emitter
Last modified 3yr ago