When Was The First Printed Circuit Board Made

How many of us have seen a printed circuit board (PCB)? Everywhere from the smartphone in our pocket to the smart home systems that are slowly taking over, these crucial pieces of technology are everywhere. So what is the history behind this amazing invention and when was the first PCB made?

Invented in 1936 by Austrian engineer Paul Eisler, the printed circuit board was an integral piece of modern electronics. By using electrically conductive pathways etched or printed onto a non-conductive substrate, a printed circuit board helped reduce the size and overall weight of electronic products.

Thanks to Eisler’s invention, the size and weight of electronic devices decreased drastically, as PCBs replaced cumbersome wiring. In addition, because components were connected to the board directly, they could also be tested individually. This has saved manufacturers time and effort in the assembly process.

The earliest versions of the printed circuit board were hand-wired onto perforated boards, however these were quickly replaced with more efficient designs. Over the years, the technology developed further, with through-hole boards and surface-mounted boards helping to reduce the complexity of the board.

Today, printed circuit boards are a fundamental part of great hardware design. They are used in everything from televisions and computers to medical equipment and satellites. The modern PCB is faster, smaller and more sophisticated than ever before, and manufacturers are able to produce customizations as needed.

It's amazing to think that something so commonplace and integral to modern technology was only invented in 1936. Since then, the printed circuit board has come a long way, with the development of new technologies and processes making the PCB even more versatile and reliable.

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