Dear Steve,

The Audion is responsible for being to forerunner for many of today’s electronic systems. The Audion was the first electronic audio amplifier, created by Lee de Frost. By adding a third wire to what was then known as a standard two-pole vacuum tube, which sent an electric current from one wire (the filament) to a second wire (the plate), de Frost turned what was essentially a diode, a component that allows electric current to pass in one direction, in to a triode, noticing that with the third wire added, it boosted the strength of the current within the diode system. The Audion enabled users to have precise control over the signals being  being transmitted, lending its properties heavily to the communications, entertainment and media industries. This control gave the ability to access long-distance wireless transmissions as well as allowing the transmission of telephone signals to be increased where people on opposites sides of the country were able to communicate. Unaware of the importance of this breakthrough, de Frost first described the use of his invention to amplify feeble electric currents, little did he know that the Audion would be integrated in to systems such as radio transmitters and receivers, hi-fi sets, in public address systems, guitar amps and much more.

Best,
Nigel Franklyn