The Humble Geissler Tube: Ancestor of Modern Tech
2025-08-23
In 1854, Heinrich Geissler, a glassblower, invented the Geissler tube, an early gas-discharge tube. This seemingly simple invention became the ancestor of countless modern technologies. The Geissler tube led to the development of fluorescent and neon lighting, and more importantly, it revolutionized physics, playing a crucial role in the discovery of the electron and X-rays. Its evolution culminated in cathode-ray tube displays and vacuum tubes, ultimately laying the foundation for modern electronic computers. This unassuming technology profoundly impacts our world today.
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Geissler Tube