1966 Mag: Build NE-2 Neon Bulb Computer - scan available

[Chuck Guzis]

On 27 Jul 2007 at 13:04, John Foust wrote:

> Hmm, that reminds me of a lingering question in my mind.
> As a kid, I remember harvesting tubes from dead TVs behind
> the repair shop.  Breaking the tube, there was often a ring
> at the top, U-shaped in cross-section.  I seem to remember
> that they were filled with a powder that reacted with
> water, fizzing.  Am I mixing up this smell-memory with playing
> with calcium carbide?  What were common getter chemicals?

Not CaC2, but any of a variety of metals:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getter

Cheers,
Chuck