Disclosed is a three terminal switching device using a nonoxide glass as the active elemental material therein. In one specific embodiment the switch includes a first nonoxide active glass film evaporated on a conductive base of aluminum. A conductive gold strip is formed over a portion of the first nonoxide glass film and a second nonoxide active glass film is formed partially over the gold strip and the first glass film. Electrical contacts are made to the conductive base, the conductive strip and the second nonoxide glass film. With a biasing voltage applied to the base contact and the film contact, a voltage pulse of proper polarity applied to the gold strip contact turns the device on, and while in this on condition, a voltage pulse of the opposite polarity turns the device off.