History of the Mag Amp

 I recall talking to an engineer at the U of P about them investigating the Mag Amp after the war.  Quite interesting.   Easier to build and maintain he said, and usable in more difficult environments.   A considerable history below ....  Was unaware of their survival into the Internet era.   This basic 'amplifier' design was used by Univac,  and in Redstone rockets.       Reading ....

THE VACUUM TUBE’S FORGOTTEN RIVAL

Magnetic amplifiers, the alt-tech of the Third Reich, lasted into the Internet era

 By KEN SHIRRIFF in Spectrum IEEE

DURING THE SECOND World War, the German military developed what were at the time some very sophisticated technologies, including the V-2 rockets it used to rain destruction on London. Yet the V-2, along with much other German military hardware, depended on an obscure and seemingly antiquated component you’ve probably never heard of, something called the magnetic amplifier or mag amp.  ,,,'