Morgan Sparks (July 6, 1916 – May 3, 2008) was an American scientist and engineer who developed the microwattbipolar junction transistor in 1951, which was a critical step in making transistors usable for every-day electronics.^[1][2] Sparks directedSandia National Laboratories.^[1][3]

Sparks was born inPagosa Springs, Colorado and earned hisBA andMA degrees, both in chemistry, atRice University. He then did hisPhD work in physical chemistry at theUniversity of Illinois, Urbana.^[1][2]

Sparks went on to work atBell Labs whereJohn Bardeen,Walter Brattain andWilliam Shockley were developing the first transistor.^[1] Sparks stayed at Bell Labs and worked there to develop the microwattbipolar junction transistor which helped make transistors practical enough for common use. Later, Sparks left Bell Labs to become the director ofSandia National Laboratories.^[1]

• History of the transistor

• Obituary:NY Times
• Obituary:Times

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