[sdiy] the function of neon lamps?

[Antti Pitkämäki]

Hi!

Could somebody please explain me what is the function of neon lamps? I know 
what transistors do, and I know what triode tubes do, but I really don't 
know exactly what neon lamps do (except create light!). I once read about 
"neon gas tubes" from some old electronics book, but unfortunately this book 
is not available in the library of the city where I live, so I can't find 
this information from anywhere...

I'm interested in this subject because I have two Philicorda organs that 
have over 100 neon lamps inside them. Also I heard of a Lowrey tube organ 
that had over 1000 neon lamps inside (+64 tubes). Also I've heard that neon 
lamps can be used to build oscillators etc. Isn't the Bird organ based 
completely on neons except for amplification? Somehow to me, maybe partly 
because I was born in the early 80's, all these glowing tubes and neons seem 
much more "space age" and "science fiction" to me than boring old 
transistors and microchips ;)

Thanks in advance,
Antti Pitkämäki

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