Why is the transistor considered a vital hidden enabling technology in the modern era?

Answer

It is the fundamental building block of all modern digital technology.

The transistor, developed in the mid-20th century, acts as the core component of modern digital electronics. From smartphones to supercomputers, virtually all digital systems rely on this technology to function. Because it is embedded deep within the internal circuitry of devices, its immense value remains largely invisible to the public, even though it serves as the essential foundation for the internet and contemporary computing.

Why is the transistor considered a vital hidden enabling technology in the modern era?
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