History of Audio Amplifiers
The earliest forms of audio amplifiers were Valve tube amplifiers, they had their first incarnation in 1906 when an 'Audion tube' was invented by Lee De Forest, an American inventor with over 300 patents to his name. The tube amplifier was used to pick up weak radio signals and produce audible sound, it gained widespread use in the 'wireless' radios in the 1930's.
Valve amplifiers became common in music and television equipment by the 1960's offered reletively advanced designs at affordable prices to the public, the Gramophone player and widespread Black&White Television used the tube amplifier technology, as did Fender & Marshall guitar/bass amps very popular with musicians at the time. Valve tube amplifiers are still widely used by many guitar, bass and keyboard players because many favour their warm sound over more modern transistor (solid-state) amplifiers.
In the 1950's and 60's, following the invention of electrical transistors in 1947, solid-state transistor amplifiers were developed, due to being smaller and more reliable, the transistor amplification market boomed, with their use in early transistor radios in the 50's. Solid-state transistor amplifiers became common place from the early home & studio stereo hi-fi systems developed in the 60's, 70's, 80's and onward still to today.Modern Class D Amplifiers have been developed over the last 15 to 20 years, they are not digital amplifiers like is assumed with the 'D'. Based on solid-state transistor technology, they have advanced semi-digital switching techniques for the analog inputs and outputs, meaning increased efficiency and reduced heat output, converting more power watts to sound than standard amp and often being much smaller due to less requirements for heatsinks. You may also be interested in: 'Origins of Electronic Music Technology, a bit of history'. 'History of Synthesizers - Electronic Music Technology Part 2'. Email this story to a friend  Add this link to:            
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