1998/05/01 by P. A. Redhead · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Gyrotron and Vacuum Electronics Research
paper · doi:10.1116/1.581157
openalex publication_date 1998/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
The early developments in the field of thermionic electron emission are reviewed with emphasis on the importance of improved vacuum technology in understanding the physical mechanism and in the production of reliable vacuum tubes. The period covered is from the discovery of the Edison effect in 1883 until 1920, when improved vacuum technology had resolved the controversy about the source of electrons in thermionic emission and the fledgling electronics industry had started the large scale production of vacuum tubes for radio receivers.