Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early
electronics. See articles from Radio & Television News, published 1919-1959. All copyrights hereby
acknowledged.
This 1944 advertisement from
Sperry
Gyroscope Company claims it owns the copyright for the word "Klystron."
According to the Wikipedia entry: "The name
klystron comes from the
Greek verb κλύζω (klyzo) referring to the action of waves breaking against a
shore, and the suffix -τρον ("tron") meaning the place where the action happens.
The name "klystron" was suggested by Hermann Fränkel, a professor in the classics
department at Stanford University when the klystron was under development."
Furthermore, it says American electrical engineering brothers
Russell and
Sigurd Varian were the inventors of the klystron. This 2-part article
entitled, "Microwave
Klystron Oscillators," appeared in consecutive 1952 issues of Radio
& Television News magazine. The video helps explain how the klystron
tube works. I am always amazed at how someone came up with such an idea in
the first place. This is the earliest patent, dated 1938, I could find for
Varian's klystron (US2272165A
- High frequency electrical apparatus).
Sperry Gyroscope Company Ad
Klystron:
Mathematically, here's the inside story.
The formula in the picture above is an expression of bunching as it takes
place in the Klystron tube.
This Sperry tube converts DC energy into radio frequency energy by allowing
an electron beam to become bunched, or pulsating, between spaced grids.
The ultra-high-frequency microwaves thus generated can be concentrated into
a narrow beam and directed with great accuracy.
Various other forms of the Klystron have been developed by Sperry to aid
in the amplification and reception of ultra-high-frequency waves. Today they
are vital parts of many a device used by our Armed Forces.
The name "Klystron" is a registered trade-mark of the Sperry Gyroscope Company,
Inc. Like other Sperry devices, Klystrons are also being made during the emergency
by other companies.
Klystrons are now being produced in quantities, and certain types are available.
Write us for information.
Sperry Gyroscope Company
Great Neck, N. Y • Division of the Sperry Corporation
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