Charles,

You have really surpassed yourself this time. These comments of yours are utter bollocks!

It is true that improved manufacturing techniques have made devices less sensitive to ESD, to the point that catastrophic failure due to ESD is much decreased. However, ESD still causes decreased reliability and, in analogue components, decreased performance. So "the problem" is far from fixed and it never will be. Indeed, the ever decreasing geometries of today's VLSI chips are actually increasing ESD sensitivity. And with hundreds of millions of dollars spent each year on ESD prevention, it is a pretty big 'thing'.

I would strongly advise you to visit the website of the ESD Association and you will find that ESD is still very much an issue and that dealing with any device that contains semiconductors warrants precaution.


Rob Klein.