So 64 years ago started a story in Electronics Weekly’s edition of October 5, 1960.
The story continues:
The report refers to the tendency to employ components which have no moving parts, which because of their materials and construction have an indefinitely long life without maintenance.
“Absence of contact troubles,“ says the report, “is a very important advantage in complex safety schemes where, otherwise, a large number of contacts would be involved.”
But the report criticises the printed circuit for running counter to the general safety trend in its present most familiar form. It is stated to be ill-suited for factory atmospheres and conditions.
The known form of open-surface printed circuit, says the report, is prone to electrical failure from surface leakage, as well as from overloading, corrosion or peeling over deposited strip, et cetera.
“It is hoped that caution will be exercised in the selection of wiring assemblies in industry, and that the benefits in safety which result from many improved components will not be lost by the use of an unsuitable method of assembly.“