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Looking for older LED's

ledcollector

Dec 22, 2018
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Dec 22, 2018
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Hey everyone,
Just signed up to the forum but I've been an electronics tinkerer for many years. I started collecting early LED's (1960's-80's) about a year ago and it's quite addictive. I have a few good examples of the very first LED's (visible light) that were commercially produced; however, there's more than one particular model that's been elusive so far.
I was wondering if anyone here happens to have any really old LED's they'd be willing to part with for my collection. I'm planning on making a small display showing the lineage of LED's over the years as well as getting some good photo's of the ones I have and posting them online with any info I've found out about them. I still need to get a good macro lens for my camera - but that's in the works.
What I'm looking for: Typically these older LED's have gold leads and are sometimes packaged in gold cases that look like hacked transistors. The light output is minuscule and typically red, green, or a dirty greenish "yellow". Many companies manufactured them including; Monsanto, General Electric*, Fairchild, Texas Instruments, etc. *I'm having a particularly hard time finding GE LED's from this era that AREN'T infrared (not looking for IR.) The GE visible LED's could be packaged in a silver transistor case instead of gold-plated.
To be fair I'm interested in any of the older stuff or any unusual/odd-ball designs that could be from the early days. They used to call them Solid State Lamps, indicators, or optoelectronics - so it's possible they'll be stamped or in packaging that doesn't mention "LED" on it.
If anyone has anything please let me know. I'll post some of the ones I have with their historys a little after the holidays either way. I love sharing the stories behind them and I suspect everyone here may enjoy learning about them!
 

HellasTechn

Apr 14, 2013
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Apr 14, 2013
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1,579
I may have some leds you might be interested in. I will post pictures tomorrow if i manage get off work early.

P.S. Happy new year.
 

Externet

Aug 24, 2009
891
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Aug 24, 2009
Messages
891
Hi.
I have a bunch or weirdo LEDs, gold plated, with two linear micro arrays of like 10 emiters each; look similar to
upload_2019-1-3_17-11-17.jpeg
But not that old. Perhaps the nineties. Are you after pictures or the diodes ? Its manufacturer does not publish pictures; these are very custom.
 

ledcollector

Dec 22, 2018
6
Joined
Dec 22, 2018
Messages
6
Hi.
I have a bunch or weirdo LEDs, gold plated, with two linear micro arrays of like 10 emiters each; look similar to
View attachment 44400
But not that old. Perhaps the nineties. Are you after pictures or the diodes ? Its manufacturer does not publish pictures; these are very custom.

Interesting. If you can manage a photo I wouldn't mind seeing it. What color does it emit and whats the voltage? I came across some similar to this style (flat gold disc with a thin layer of epoxy) that have a higher operating voltage than most LED's. No idea who made them.
 

Externet

Aug 24, 2009
891
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Aug 24, 2009
Messages
891
It is red. Designed in '92 to illuminate a track on cinema film projectors to decode digital audio. Unobtanium made by Opto-diode, 1.2Vf. My camera will not produce a meaningful close-up, arrays in it are about 0.1mm wide x 3mm long.
I could send it to your mail box.
Digital audio.png
 
Last edited:

HellasTechn

Apr 14, 2013
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Ok here are the photos of the LED i told you about. It glows red and appears to have a max brightness at 1.8V
IMG_20190113_222144.jpg


IMG_20190113_222135.jpg
 
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