Vintage Computer Tech: 1943 Navy: The Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) educational (Du Mont Oscilloscope)

Vintage 1943: A restored “old school” educational video by the U.S. Navy on the use of Cathode-Ray Tubes (CRT). This 1943 film covers the basics of the CRT and its uses. CRT technology grew rapidly in the 1940's during RADAR advancements. During the 1950's, early computers started using CRT display technology. A nice bit of history and nostalgia. Run time 14 mins, plus a few photos of the DuMont Type 208 Oscilloscope, which is also seen in the film. Hope you enjoy! (Tech Trivia: Early Oscilloscopes were often referred to as "oscillographs" until very late 1940's.)
A FEW SIGNIFICANT DATES:
1893 - An electromechanical oscillograph was invented by a French physicist André Blondel.
1897- German physicist Karl F. Braun invents a cathode-ray tube (CRT).
1931 - General Radio Company (GenRad) develops one of the first oscilloscopes.
1931 - Du Mont Laboratories founded by inventor Allen B. DuMont. Among the company's developments were durable cathode ray tubes that would be used for TV and help make oscilloscope production viable.
1932 - British company A. C. Cossor presented their first oscilloscope.
1939 - DuMont introduces the DuMont 164 general purpose Oscillograph. DuMont became the leader in the oscilloscope market soon afterwards.
1945-1952 - MIT Whirlwind computer featured outputs displayed on a CRT, and a light pen to write data on the screen.
1946 - Tektronix was founded by Howard Vollum and Jack Murdock.
1955-1956 - MIT TX-0 computer used a CRT display
1960 - Fairchild acquires DuMont Laboratories and continued making oscilloscopes with the DuMont name brand up through the 1980’s.
1985 - (Approx.) Invention of digital oscilloscopes.
Suggested links for more information: - - - - -
The Oscilloscope Museum
www.oscillosco...
The Museum of Tek Scopes
www.chiark.gree...
Clarke Engram’s “DuMont Television Network History website
www.dumontnetwo...
Museum of Vintage Tektronix Equipment
vintagetek.org/
Tektronix: The Cathode Ray Tube - Window to Electronics
• Tektronix: The Cathode...
HP Memory Project (section on HP Oscilloscopes)
hpmemoryproject...
Cathode Ray Tube History (Wikipedia entry)
en.wikipedia.o...
Allen B. DuMont (Wikipedia info)
en.wikipedia.o...
Oscopes History and Background
oscopes.info/ba...
History of the Analog Cathode Ray Oscilloscope, O. Dalton and L. Kreps.
vintagetek.org...
Oscilloscope Development, 1943-57, Peter D. Hiscocks, 2011,www.ee.ryerson...
A CRT terminal used by the SAGE computer system (1950’s)
www.computerhi...
Evolution of Computer Displays
www.vintagecomp...
With special thanks to SPEAKEASY ARCHIVES, for the 16mm to digital transfer that helped make this presentation possible.
www.speakeasyar...
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Also, the following Video may be of interest:
- Early Vacuum Tube Computers
• Computer History 1949 ...
How a CRT is Made
• Discovery How Its Made...

[@TheTwick]

Cool! My father was a radar technician (for RCA) in the Pacific theater during WWII. He had one of these in his shop at home after the war. It was my endlessly fascinating toy when I was growing up. Before there was Pong - there was Oscilloscope.

[@jonathancandor4476]

Nice

[@mepatwariji3456]

i remember my technological grandfather . fine descriptive video

[@SouthwesternEagle]

This is a video I've been needing my entire life. FINALLY, I understand how CRTs work! Thank you!!

[@luisluiscunha]

This! And with a nice/life demo of Maxwell's electromagnetic theory too!

[@informalzombie2888]

I wonder how hard or easy was to find a name for the ray hitting on the end of the tube, is not only a spot it can also move. GREAT VIDEO!

[@greatPretender79]

What southwesterneagle said. Why is everything old so much better Also my 1958 RCA TV thanks you.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Great points! Well spoken. ~ CHAP

[@Stuart-AJC]

Interesting video. Explaining quite a complicated device to Navy personnel in a simple way. Small point: they were known as 'oscillographs' not 'ocillographs' as in the video's description

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Hi Stuartajc, thanks...and good spotting! We fixed that now. ~ : )

[@frankowalker4662]

I was given a broken Du Mont in the 80's. I gave up on it after about 5 years of re-re-building. I bet the CRT was damaged, I had no way of testing it. (or replacing it).

[@The_meme_archives11]

My grandma has set of this

[@jonathancandor4476]

The only reason we don't use these anymore is because it wouldn't fit in our pocket

[@popie.eucalyptus]

10km Navy is an color of cyan

[@johneygd]

Still fashinating.