Typical block diagrams for a transistor digital computer

The first electric digital computers were built around the properties of relays. The superior speed capabilities of vacuum tubes has led in recent years to their use in new computer designs to replace relays. Because of the small size, low power consumption, and expected long life of transistors, it now appears that the transistor will replace the vacuum tube as a computer element. This paper presents a study of binary computer functions with recommended mechanizations that were selected because they appeared to be readily attainable with transistors now under development. Block diagrams are presented of switches, memory units, arithmetic units, and other basic components. Estimates are given for the number of parts required in the units. It is concluded that a high-performance all-semiconductor computer can be built with germanium diodes and transistors.