George A Philbrick Researches launched the first commercial Operational Amplifier in 1952. The K2-W opamp was based on vacuum tubes and was part of the first analog computer. The Phibrick Archive contains historical accounts of the company, the first opamps, applications notes, and photos. The Philbrick company is the foundation the present analog semiconductor industry including companies like Analog Devices, Linear Technology, and National Semiconductor.


Source: Philbrick archive