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You Betcha!  The USSR was history but the Russian military just kept on making these state-of-the-art Nixie display modules right through the 90's.  I crack one open and put it to work using Big Iron and my handy custom BCD real time clock bench supply.  Enjoy!

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1992 Nixie Display Modules! Whaaat??

You Betcha! The USSR was history but the Russian military just kept on making these state-of-the-art Nixie display modules right through the 90's. I crack one open and put it to work using Big Iron and my handy custom BCD real time clock bench supply. Enjoy! Join Team FranLab!!!! Become a patron and help support my YouTube Channel on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/frantone Send your cards, letters, or any stuff you feel is worthy for sharing on Viewer Mail: Frantone PO Box 14024 Philadelphia, PA 19122 - Music by Fran Blanche - Frantone on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/frantone/ Fran on Twitter - https://twitter.com/contourcorsets Fran's Science Blog - http://www.frantone.com/designwritings/design_writings.html FranArt Website - http://www.contourcorsets.com

Comments

Anonymous

Great video. I find Russian tech fascinating. And the mindset behind it. I've heard that NASA spent a fair amount of money developing the space pen whereas the Russians decided to just use pencils. How true that is I don't know but what a great story.

Anonymous

Another very interesting video, I would love to build a Nixie tube clock for my desk at work. I also find Eastren Bloc technology fascinating. I just purchased a Bulgarian AM shortwave table top reciever.

Anonymous

I haven't watched yet, Fran, but I am very interested based on your description. I am also thrilled you are continuing your "real work" while that "stuff" about advertising, etc is a mere distraction from what is important. Speaking of state-of-the-art nixie tubes, there was a guy who started his own production facility - I saw some YT vids. I can't recall if he is in Europe, Russia, somewhere in between... ? I don't know if he is still producing them. It was fascinating to see a guy do the research and figure out a process. Anyway, on to the Big Show!

Anonymous

Donald and Fran, check out Dalibor Farny's website - he is amazing! This may the guy you are referring to.

Maarten Daalder

I happen to have 'researched' this for a primary school assignment (so take it with a grain of salt, though I did hear a similar explanation on the BBC show QI). Both the Russians and Americans used ballpoints because the graphite of a pencil could break off (also microscopic pieces) and could short-circuit equipement. However, the Fisher company did develop (on their own) a pen that would work in microgravity, under water, between -50F and 400F and apparently even in a vacuum and is in use by both NASA and Roscosmos. <a href="https://history.nasa.gov/spacepen.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://history.nasa.gov/spacepen.html</a>

Anonymous

Interesting video. It looks like the "5" numeral is simply an inverted "2". Is/was that the standard procedure for the early U. S. produced Nixies, as well?

frantone

No - US and European Nixies spared no expense to give us a proper 5. It's really how you can tell just by looking at the display that it is Russian.

Anonymous

I love nixie and magic eyes. They are my favorite tube to mess with. I guess because they are the most visually appealing.