Before the invention of LCD displays one of the ways that numbers and symbols could be displayed was through the use of Nixie or Cold Cathode display tubes. These tubes have a grid anode and many cathode elements formed in the various display numbers or symbols. My Nixie box has 4 numeric tubes and 2 symbol tubes. All the tubes were originally in multimeters of Soviet manufacture. I have 6 10 position switches which apply ground selectively to the 10 cathode elements on each tube.
Just a simple Wooden Box |
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Not so simple after all |
Close up of the switches |
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Close up of the Nixie tubes |
All lighted Up |
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Close up of lighted nixie tubes |