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The concept goes back to at least '71

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/1083337/

Correct on concept, but up until 2008 nobody produced one reliably.

You can find references and hints to them all the way back to maxwell's day. They tended to be regarded as anomalous circuits back then however.

The fact that nobody has produced a fusion generator, does not mean that the amount of articles claiming that fusion is 'just around the corner' is any less.

It took at least that long to go from the theorized device to the first prototype.

..."hyped as"...

Well, if they were 10 years away in 2008, that should mean the first 90% is done this year, then it'll be another 9 years for the remaining 10%? So 2026? ;-)