seven segment display history

[Brent Hilpert]

Ethan Dicks wrote:
> 
> On Sat, Mar 01, 2008 at 04:40:02AM -0500, M H Stein wrote:
> > Ethan Dicks wrote:
> > > There is a vendor and part number etched on the face: Sperry SP-738.
> >
> > A little tricky to interface because of the high voltage, keep-alive
> > anodes, etc.
> 
> Yeah... I read the specs.  I'm know about nixies and plain neon tubes,
> etc., but I don't know anything about "keep-alive anodes".
> 
> > I may have some of the driver chips though if you're serious.
> 
> I would love to make this do something useful.  The display was
> free (I got it in a pile of parts from a friend who retired and
> left the State), but I've always wanted to do something interesting
> with it.  Perhaps an AVR-controlled, Dallas 1-wire thermometer
> display?

Forgot before, Heathkit used those Sperry/Beckman displays in their 70's-era
digital doodads like clocks, indoor-outdoor thermometers, weather monitors,
tachs, & c., might be a place to look for schematics for examples of real-world use.