Turning Ideas info Reality1988 Engineers’ Week

The History of the Allentown Works

Through its 40 year history the Allentown Works has been Involved in three major technologies—the electron tube, the transistor and the integrated circuit. 

In 1944 the Western Electric tube shop at 395 Hudson Street in New York City was busy supporting the war effort. During World War II, Western Electric was responsible for producing more than half of the radar equipment used by the United States and the Allied Armed Forces. The tubes that were produced consisted of miniatures, klystrons, magnetrons and carrier types. When the war ended, AT&T was faced with an unprecedented civilian demand for communication services and components. 

Several compelling factors generated the need to move Western Electric’s tube shop out of New York. Business was growing and available manufacturing space was inadequate. The existing facility was not sophisticated enough to support AT&T’s evolving technology arid the lack of a "clean environment" in the building severely inhibited manufacturing yields. The pressing need for a new site was apparent 

In a small conference room, a list was produced documenting what a group of eight thought should be present at a new site. Some of the more important factors considered were: close proximity to engineering schools (Lehigh University & Lafayette College); close geographic location to both New York City and Philadelphia; a good highway system; a nearby airport; and the availability of a proficient labor supply.

Construction started at the present site in March 1946, with actual production starting in 1947. About 300 employees were transferred from New York to Allentown to form the core of the plant operations.

Production of electron tubes was started in late 1947 and the plant became fully occupied in 1948. The transistor was invented in 1947 by Bell Laboratories and in 1951 the first transistor production line was established at the Allentown Works. Consequently a major refraining program from electron tube technology to solid state technology began. As transistor design developed from point contact designs to grown junctions to diffused junctions, there became a need for more stringent design rules.

By the mid 1960’s the integrated circuit replaced transistors as state of the art technology. The integrated circuit is a tiny complex of transistors and other electronic components connected together in or on silicon. Today the constant increase in circuit density continues to challenge our ability to minimize the effects of external contaminants.

The year 1984 brought changes from divestiture and the subsequent restructuring of AT&T. Despite challenges and obstacles that were never before experienced, the production of high technology devices continues.

AT&T remains a leader in the microelectronics industry and continues to make great strides in both U.S. and foreign marketplaces.