they were shrinking
-rétrécissaient
Past progressive they conjugation of shrink.
In 1950s they were shrinking vacuum tubes, making them smaller and smaller. They finally hit a wall; they couldn't shrink the vacuum tube any more and keep the vacuum.
Dans les années 50, ils réduisaient la taille des tubes à vide, les rendant de plus en plus petits. Finalement, ils atteignirent un mur. Ils ne pouvaient pas réduire plus la taille du tube à vide tout en gardant le vide.
They were shrinking vacuum tubes, making them smaller and smaller.
Ils rétrécissaient des tubes à vide, les rendant de plus en plus petits.
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