[sdiy] Strange old parts question...

[Eric Brombaugh]

I'd guess that's a vacuum flourescent display. Probably going to glow 
white/greenish, like old-style VCRs. Here's a webpage with a diagram:

http://vintagecalculators.com/html/calculator_display_technology.html

Kinda cool looking, but still a bit young to be truly retro. And a bit 
difficult to drive. Extra points for single-digit per tube though!

Eric

Dave Kendall wrote:
> Hi All.
>
> Recently got some old electronic stuff in a clearout from an AV workshop.
> Does anyone recognise this oddity:
>
> It's a small 35mm high clear glass (vacuum?) tube with a single 7 segment
> display inside, 12 x 38mm long, very thin leads going into the bottom, and
> DG10A, japan written on a sticker on the back. What looks like a crudely
> stamped batch code reads JCF. The manufacturer's brand is a green I, then a
> stylized lightning flash, then E, all contained in an oval.
>
> It's a great looking thing, and would make a cool indicator for a retro
> style device. I've got quite a few in NOS condition. Is it any use?....
>
> Dave (very curious....)
>
>
>