An Optical Position Encoder and Digit Register
H. Follingstad, John N. Shive, R. Yaeger · Proceedings of the IRE · 1952
The usefulness of transistors in systems has been given a feasibility proof through the construction and operation of a six-digit position encoder and serial-output digit register. This system performs the functions of photoelectric encoding, pulse regeneration, digit storage, reflected-to-natural binary translation, and digit shifting by means of circuits using transistors and other semiconductor devices. The model occupies a volume of about ¼ cubic foot, weighs seven pounds, and consumes 16 watts of power.