The semiconductor development group begins to manufacture a 3-amp power transistor. By 1955, it is producing germanium power transistors for use in auto radios, and plans are underway to mass produce radio frequency transistors and silicon rectifiers.
Motorola's first color television falls short of success because of technical problems, a high price tag, and the failure of broadcasters to offer an adequate amount of color programming. The product is withdrawn from the market in 1956.
Motorola adopts a new corporate logo, the "batwing" M.
Motorola's first commercial product to incorporate transistors is an auto radio. It is smaller and more durable than previous models, and demands less power from a car battery. An all-transistor auto radio, introduced in 1959, is considered the most reliable in the industry.
A new radio communications product - a small radio receiver called a pager - delivers a radio message selectively to a particular individual carrying the device. Hospitals are among the first to use pagers.
Robert W. Galvin is named president of Motorola, Inc. Paul V. Galvin is elected chairman of the board and serves as chief executive officer.
Having first manufactured transistors and other semiconductors for exclusive use in its own radios, televisions, and communications products, Motorola becomes a commercial producer and supplier of semiconductors for sale to other manufacturers. The Semiconductor Products Division is established.
The new corporate headquarters is in Franklin Park, Illinois.
Motorola introduces the "Motrac", the first two-way mobile radio to have a fully transistorized power supply and receiver. Its low power consumption allows the radio to be used without running the car engine. Although the "Motrac" radio costs twice as much as previous models, it becomes a run away best seller.
The shirt-pocket size X11 portable is Motorola's first all-transistor radio. Although sales of the company's home and portable radios continue at a high level, foreign competitors are making considerable gains in sales of these products by 1962.
History of Motorola
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A.T.Pon@cs.cf.ac.uk