That's what I meant. THose that generated the most value on the transistor, got the spoils - eg Fairchild, Intel, etc

You're aware that it's possible to make money on an invention without patenting it. First to market advantage, a foothold in the market, continuing brand recognition as the go-to source for that product, a head start on the next round of innovation, increased sales across the industry as the product becomes more valuable to customers, increased sales of complementary products and services, etc.

Or just keeping it a trade secret, like WD-40.