Ciro Santilli @cirosantilli 37

quoteinvestigator.com/2017/09/25/progress/ on Quote Investigator says it appeared in 1948. Can't easily check, but will believe it for now.

Integrates its RNA genome into the host genome.

Sounds complicated! The advantage is likely as in HIV: once inside the cell, it can remain hidden far away from the cell surface, but still infections.

By William Shockley in 1948 also at Bell Labs Murray Hill.

As of 2020, not used anymore in logic gates, but still used in amplifiers.