Semiconductor History

    GEC first developed transistor devices at their research facility in Wembley, then transferred production to the GEC Radio Works in Coventry, where a point contact diode line had been established.  In 1956 GEC established a dedicated semiconductor manufacturing facility at School St, Hazel Grove (Greater Manchester). In 1962 GEC merged their semiconductor business with Mullard into a business called ASM (Associated Semiconductor Manufacturers), creating the UK's dominant semiconductor company of the 1960s. Mullard (Philips) owned 2/3 of the company. GEC devices were subsequently marketed as Mullard. GEC sold most of their share in 1968. Nexperia, formerly NXP (and Philips) still have an operating semiconductor facility in Hazel Grove. Decent gain and germanium, hfe=70, Vf=120mV  

In 1962 Mullard (Philips) and GEC pooled their resources and facilities to create Associated Semiconductor Manufacturers. Mullard owned 2/3 of the combined business. GEC pulled out in 1969. This is a small signal diode CV7364/AAZ12, germanium, Vf=258mV.

AEI Semiconductors Avalanche Diodes British Thomson Houston established a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Carholme Road, Lincoln, England in 1956 with a focus on power devices. In 1963 it became part of AEI, and the AEI Rugby R&D team were transferred in 1966. In 1967 GEC acquired AEI, and in 1975 further semiconductor research activities in CMOS and RF were transferred from GEC Central Research to Lincoln. In the early 1980s a new facility was built in Doddington Road with ICs and RF devices transferred to the new facility. Carholme Road continued to produce power devices including general purpose and fast recovery diodes, GTOs and thyristors. Doddington Road produced standard, semi custom and full custom CMOS ICs and SOS devices for Space. RF devices included GaAs products, SAW filters and passives. Together with Hybrid facilities in Swindon and Portsmouth the company changed its name to Marconi Electronic Devices Ltd (MEDL). MEDL became uncompetitive in digital ...