SMT - A BRIEF HISTORY

I'm researching the history of SMT. In particular, I'd like to get some general information on MILESTONE events like: FIRST IC COMPANY TO RELEASE IT, BOTH TO DEFENSE INDUSTRY & TO THE MASS MARKET. WHEN?

WHICH COMPANIES & MARKETS (TELECOM, COMPUTERS, ETC.) WERE THE DRIVERS OF SMT.

WHAT DID COMPANIES & DEFENSE INDUSTRY DO WHEN IT WAS ONLY THROUGH-HOLES AVAILABLE - DID THEY GO TO CHIP SALES & BUILD THEIR OWN ICs.

WHAT WERE THE MAIN FACTORS THAT DROVE THE MARKET TO LOOK FOR SMT AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE THROUGH-HOLES? WAS IT MAINLY SIZE REDUCTION.

DID THE FIRST SMT ICs CARRY A PRICE PREMIUM (PROBABLY) AND IF SO, HOW MUCH OVER THE EXISTING PDIPs EQUIVALENT

ON A QUALITATIVE BASIS, HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR SMT TO BE ADOPTED BY INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE - WHEN DID SMT EXCEED THROUGH-HOLES IN POPULARITY?

ETC.

Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Han Phan Power Management Product Specialist Standard Linear & Logic Texas Instruments (903) 868-6401 hanphan@ti.com

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