All About Vacuum Tubes

The history of the vacuum tube dates back to the 19^th century, when Thomas Edison first noticed the reaction between a vacuum and an incandescent lamp. Later, inventors discovered how to use vacuums to transfer sound on radios and then again on televisions. Modern day technology has nearly made vacuum tubes obsolete and it’s evident that the use of the tubes won’t continue into the future. Collectors of antique radios and televisions find it difficult to find replacement tubes for their older models. Consider the links below as resources to help you in your search for information all about vacuum tubes.

Audio

• Boatanchor Pix: Describes restoration projects of old radios, with detailed information on the parts used.
• Magnetic Recording Equipment: Explains types of recording equipment, including types that used vacuum tubes.
• Vacuum Tube Amplifier: An example of a vacuum tube amplifier that has been refurbished by an antique radio enthusiast.
• The Morgan Jones Mini Tube Headphone Amplifier: Explains the process of modifying headphones with vacuum tube style pieces.
• History of Hearing Instruments: A history of hearing aids, including how vacuum tubes and similar technologies helped people hear sounds.

Antique & Amateur Radio

• Audio Resources: A compilation of resources on the history of radios and electrical equipment, compiled by the Audio Engineering Society at Penn State.
• The Museum of Radio & Technology, Inc.: Explains the history of the museum and the major displays, including images of antique radios and televisions.
• Antique Radio: A resource for antique radio enthusiasts, with links to both an enthusiasts newsletter, and the Antique Wireless Association.
• Amateur Radio: A collection of resources related to vacuum tubes, including buying and selling parts.

Books

• Vacuum Tube Design: Includes the full-text of the 1940 book published by RCA, which explained how the company designed and built vacuum tubes.
• Technical Books: A series of electrical books, including books on vacuum tubes, electron tubes and radios.
• Basics of Vacuum Tubes: Includes the full-text of books on electrical parts, vacuum tubes and amplifiers.
• Null Oscillating Meter and Other Modifications: A 1964 book describing the idea of a magic eye and how it was created.
• The Thermonic Vacuum Tube and Its Applications: The full-text of the 1920 book about the vacuum tube and its uses.

Interesting & Unusual Tube Types

• Deafness in Design: A timeline dating back to 1551 that explains types of vacuum and similar tubes used as a hearing aid device utilized in deaf education.
• Geissler Tubes: Offers a short history on Giessler tubes, along with pictures of tubes dating back to the late 19^th century.

• Motion Picture Sound: A full history of sound from 1910-2000, with information on how vacuum tubes impacted the development of motion pictures.

• Vacuum Discharges: Provides photographs and descriptions of unusual vacuum tubes, including luminous and Geissler tubes.
• TWT and Quasilinear Theory: Describes research done with traveling wave tubes in the field of plasma research.
• High Speed Photography: Explains the process of hydrogen thyratrons and how it relates to photography.

Theory

• CRT and Vacuum Tubes: A thorough explanation from a scientist at the Department of Energy on how vacuum tubes work.
• Vacuum Tubes: An in-depth explanation of the history and experiments associated with vacuum tubes and the major types of tubes.
• History of Chemistry: A timeline style outline on the major moments in chemistry, with information on vacuum tubes and early work in the field.
• The Photoelectric Effect: Explains early work with vacuum tubes and how experiments involved worked with competing theories.
• An Illustrated History of Computers: Describes early computers and how those used vacuum tubes.