Stone Vintage Radio Museum - Antique Radios, Wireless, Crystal Sets, Tubes, and Valves

Geissler Tubes Lit Up From Early Part Of 1900s. Geissler tubes, the name of these electrical discharge tubes, were used late in the 19th and early in the 20th century. Geissler tubes were developed in the late 1850s. Geissler tubes could not be developed until a very good vacuum pump was developed. The effects of electrical discharge is best observed in a glass chamber where the air has been evacuated. The electric charge is produced by an induction coil. 5 volts is increased to several thousand volts in the induction coil.
Geissler tubes are filled with various gasses at different pressures. 1. Nitrogen causes a pale blue light at the negative pole and a rosy tint at the positive pole. 2. Hydrogen produces a blue light at the negative pole and it becomes crimson in constricted areas. 3. The composition of the glass also affects the color of the discharge. 4. Compound tubes, constructed with an outer jacket filled with a solution of quinine, or a simple tube of uranium glass may be used to create the bluish characteristics of the former and the yellow/green characteristics of the latter. What are they used for? The study of electricity and Parlor entertainments.

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