They can be divided into four categories depending upon the principle of operation.1. Gas filled (neon) discharge devices, consists of an anode in the form of a half cylinder or a mesh. The cathodes are shaped in the form of digits, letters or other signs. At a certain voltage there will be a discharge between the anode and the cathode, which results in an orange glow around the cathode. They are arranged for side or top viewing. Some tubes have a red coating to improve contrast. These tubes are sometimes called Nixie tubes. Nixie is a trademark by Burroughs Corp.
2. Numitron is a device from RCA with seven filaments forming a seven-segment digit. It operates on low voltage (5V).
3. Electron beam display tube. The only tube I have found of this kind is Telefunken's XM1000.
4. Vacuum Fluorescent Displays (VFDs). A new device built on the principle of a triode.
5. Microprocessor controlled CRT. Another use for (old) CRTs
Large fifteen segment indicator that can show characters A-Z, digits etc.
With some signs only.
seven segment gas discharge tube. The character is 10 mm high.
A giant Nixie with 50 mm high digits.
Small tube showing 0-9. Digits are 14 mm high.
Small tube for digital voltmeters
Small tube for frequency counters
from Philips and others. Digits are 30 mm high.
ZM1005 ZM1010 ZM1011 ZM1012 ZM1013 ZM1014
ZM1030 ZM1031 ZM1032 ZM1033 ZM1080 ZM1081
ZM1100 ZM1162 ZM1174 ZM1175 ZM1176 ZM1177
ZM1230 ZM1310 ZM1320 ZM1325
Z566M Z568M Z570M Z573M Z574M Z590M Z870M
15 mm digits.
symbols.
Burroughs
B6091
digits 0-9.
Thirteen segment indicator that can show a lot of things.
Miniature nixie
Z560M
Philips Pandicon, an indicator tube with 14, 12, 10 or 8 digits designed for multiplexed operation in electronic desk top calculators. It has one 17-pin socket in each end. Digits are 10 mm high.
RCA DR2110
Telefunken XM1000
Although not an old fashion device, I think it is worth presenting since it is based upon the old vacuum triode.
 |
 |
David Forbes has constructed this "Scope Clock" which utilizes a CRT as the display device which is controlled by a tiny microcomputer. The numerals are formed from circles, arcs and lines. No pixels are used. The CRT phosphor is protected from burn-in by moving the display imperceptibly slowly over a small distance in X and Y.
Click on the picture for more info.
E1T/6370
GC10B/Z303C
GC10/4B
GC10/D
Z502S
GS10D
GS10H
Z505S
