Salvaged VFDs in Nixie-Like Clock
A retro-themed clock has been built using salvaged vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs) that resemble Nixie tubes. These VFDs, which were common in the early 70s, offer advantages such as lower voltage and power requirements. The creator reverse-engineered the displays and utilized a microcontroller for control, demonstrating a creative use of older technology.
- ▪Salvaged VFDs were used to create a retro-themed clock.
- ▪The VFDs provide advantages over Nixie tubes, including lower voltage and cost.
- ▪The project involved reverse-engineering the displays and using a microcontroller for control.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Salvaged VFDs In Nixie-Like Clock No comments by: Bryan Cockfield May 16, 2026 Title: Copy Short Link: Copy In between the Nixie tube era of the 50s and 60s and the advent of multi-digit vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs) common in 80s and 90s consumer technology, there was a brief time in the early 70s where single-digit VFDs were commonplace. Superficially these devices look like Nixie tubes, but have a number of advantages to them including lower voltage, lower power requirements, and lower cost. [maurycyz] recently found a number of these salvaged from old calculators and used them to build a retro-themed clock. [maurycyz] was not able to find datasheets for this display, but was able to reverse-engineer each of the digits.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Hackaday.
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