Once in a while, each of has a moment when we grasp the importance of something quite common, usually something we have taken for granted. My most recent realization of this kind was about electronic materials — from materials with ancient roots (ceramics) to miracles of modern chemistry and physics. When I was a pre-teen experimenting with electronics, many natural materials were still in use — insulation was typically glass, mica, or even varnished or waxed wood and paper. Processed materials were quite primitive by today's standards — germanium for transistors, selenium for diodes, bakelite plastics and a few phenolic resins to replace the varnish and wax.
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