What is it about these outdated displays that keeps me coming back to ebay to buy more? There is a remarkable glut of cheap Vacuum Fluorescent Displays out there, of all shapes and sizes. I started a collection about 2 years ago when i started the clock project, to use as its display.

There really is nothing quite like them, in terms of brightness, color, and mystique. They are, after all vacuum-tubes, based on technology dating back nearly a century. I still don’t fully understand how to make them work, but I have been working on this in the clock prototype.

Once I get a handle on it I will likely continue adding to this collection, perhaps some of the 8843’s (pictured above) which look like some sort of exotic marital aid for the mathematically inclined.

There is something about these displays that go over and above the bare minimum of what is required for the basic function of displaying information. They are beautiful ro look at, like that old string of christmas lights you don’t have the heart to throw out, even though you know the LED lights are safer, more durable, and energy-efficient.

VFDs seem to be coming back into fashion among hobbyist types, who have managed to do all sorts of wierd things with them… Like display a Twitter feed.