1992 Nixie Display Modules! Whaaat??

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

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.

Fran Blanche

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?

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>

Maarten Daalder

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

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!

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.

Allison Rae Barnhardt

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.