Cracked Silicon Sparked Semiconductors: Russell Ohl turns flaw into breakthrough; discovery powers solar cells

In 1940, a cracked silicon crystal at Bell Laboratories led Russell Ohl to discover the p-n junction, a pivotal moment for electronics. This accidental finding, revealing how semiconductors control electric current, paved the way for solar panels, transistors, and modern devices. Ohl's breakthrough remains fundamental to photovoltaic technology and countless electronic innovations today.