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Parametron: 50s Japanese computer that uses neither transistors nor vacuum tubes

The Parametron was a pioneering 1950s Japanese computer that used a novel parametric switching device instead of transistors or vacuum tubes, representing an important alternative computing technology of its era. This IEEE milestone article documents its development and historical significance in the early history of electronic computing.

Background

The Parametron was developed at Tokyo Imperial University by Japanese engineers in the early 1950s as an alternative to both vacuum tubes and the then-emerging transistor technology, using magnetic core parametric switching.

Source
Hacker News (RSS)
Published
Aug 10, 2026 at 06:29 PM
Score
6.0 / 10