Historical Photo of the Month - January 2009

Integrated Circuit Chips
Photograph Number 357-2247

"Electronic Packaging" is the process of designing, assembling, and interconnecting electronic components to create subsystems for spacecraft. In the 1960s, tiny integrated circuit chips like the 8,000 or so in this thimble had to be soldered by hand to join them with other components.

An article in the March 1969 issue of Lab-Oratory (the predecessor to Universe) described technological developments such as fine wire welding and printed conductor patterns that made it possible for components to become much smaller and lighter. See the PDF file for more details.

For more information about the history of JPL, contact the JPL Archives for assistance. [Archival and other sources: photo index; Lab-Oratory, March 1969.]