Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Before the silicon chip, the vacuum tube (or thermionic valve) ruled the world of electronics and electronic components! From Ambrose Fleming’s "sudden happy thought" when he realised he could make a diode to rectify and hence demodulate radio signals to the mass-produced 1916 R-type, these glowing glass bottles laid the foundation for modern electronics.

In this Short video, I trace the journey of the vacuum tube or thermionic valve from a simple radio detector to the birth of the electronics industry.

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