I think it's important to note that that transistor was invented under the umbrella of Bell Laboratories!

So yeah, you have Ma Bell to thank for it.

 

Lol, when I was little, the transistor I knew was a "transistor radio" powered by two to four eveready D batteries.

then a local electric cooperative was established connecting our neighborhood with the national electric grid, which then paved the way for our neighbors to buy/use electric sony radio cassette recorder/player with FM.