22 Sep
2010
22 Sep
'10
9:26 p.m.
While looking around for a little about the 8-pin DIP package, I
checked into the 555, as it was introduced about the same time as the
8-pin DIP appeared. This site (albeit a 2nd-source, not direct ref)
says the 555 in 8-pin DIP was introduced in 1971 (page 2):
http://semiconductormuseum.com/Transistors/LectureHall/Camenzind/
Camenzind_Index.htm
But what I was surprised about was the statement about the 555 still
selling a billion units in 2003. I thought it had faded from popularity
since the '70/'80's as I can't recall seeing one in a new product in
many years. Apparently I'm not looking hard enough. Where are all these
555's going?