Changing technology-banish the 741! [op amp]

Pick up a current electronics text and you're likely to find the 741 op amp not only used, but also showcased. It's the op amp of choice for lab experiments, treatment of innards, etc. This is truly amazing when you consider that the 741 is nearly 30 years old! Of course op amps should be presented they can be used to implement a remarkable range of circuit functions. An inexpensive op amp can give near-ideal performance in certain practical applications. Getting something to work is infectious-the first op amps gave a whole generation the opportunity to build analog functions that really worked. But, like all technologies, op amp development never ceased; there have been some serious developments over the last 30 years!