Indeed.. just completed "Chip War" by Chris Miller which delves into the history and the Geopolitics of this wonderful invention. After WWII Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea owe their prosperities to the transistor.
"It is a strange fate we should suffer so much fear and doubt… over so small a thing. Such a little thing."
Where the little thing here is the transistor.
Doc Brown examining a microchip with a magnifying glass
"Unbelievable that this little piece of junk could be such a big problem. No wonder this circuit fails, it says 'Made in Japan'."
Marty "Whadda mean, Doc? All the best stuff is made in Japan."
Doc "Unbelievable"