Piotr Wyderski <bombald@protonmail.com> wrote:

> Mike Monett wrote:
>
>> No more electronics, no more tractors, trucks, civilian stuff. No more
>> cellphones, avionics, missiles, tanks, nukes.
>
> Don't worry about nukes, these will get all the required maintenance.
>
> Best regards, Piotr

Takes electronics and skilled people to keep them working. Electronics are
made in Ukraine. (Oops) Skilled people are leaving in droves.

Putin cannot push the button and make them go. It takes generals, and they
will not committ suicide. The launch process is probably similar to the US
process. Two people must turn the launch switches simultaneously. See

Largest nuclear weapon ever deployed on display in Arizona
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E3sFfnAUQs

The generals know what will happen. They are not stupid. Putin threatening
nukes is an empty threat.

--
MRM

Mike Monett wrote:

> Takes electronics and skilled people to keep them working. Electronics are
> made in Ukraine. (Oops) Skilled people are leaving in droves.

It is unlikely to be the typical consumer-grade electronics. It very
well might not be based on semiconductors anyway.

And they *do* have semiconductor plants. Maybe not as capable as TSMC,
but 5nm technology is not required for making an operational nuke
controller. FatMan exploded somehow without a single transistor.

> Putin cannot push the button and make them go. It takes generals, and
they
> will not committ suicide.

This might be correct, but it has nothing to do with electronics of any
sort. It's purely a policy compliance issue.

Best regards, Piotr

Piotr Wyderski <bombald@protonmail.com> wrote:

> Mike Monett wrote:
>
>> Takes electronics and skilled people to keep them working. Electronics
>> are made in Ukraine. (Oops) Skilled people are leaving in droves.
>
> It is unlikely to be the typical consumer-grade electronics. It very
> well might not be based on semiconductors anyway.

What a silly idea.

> And they *do* have semiconductor plants. Maybe not as capable as TSMC,
> but 5nm technology is not required for making an operational nuke
> controller. FatMan exploded somehow without a single transistor.

It used the technology developed for proximity fuses.

A nuclear missile requires parts made in Ukraine. They are not going to
get them anymore.
> > Putin cannot push the button and make them go. It takes generals, and
> > they will not committ suicide.
>
> This might be correct, but it has nothing to do with electronics of any
> sort. It's purely a policy compliance issue.
>
> Best regards, Piotr

Semiconductor plants take skilled people to run. They are leaving in
droves.

--
MRM

Mike Monett wrote:

> What a silly idea.

How many Soviet warheads did you disassemble to be so sure?

> A nuclear missile requires parts made in Ukraine.

How can you know that? Even if it is the case, there is nothing magical
about Ukraine. They will restore this capability domestically as a top
priority, because it IS a top priority national security issue. Rest
assured.

> They are not going to get them anymore.

There are at least two plants in the neo-Soviet Union capable of 90nm
wafer production, namely Micron and Angstrem. Plus countless physics
institutes with electron beam litography gear. This is more than
sufficient to maintain ~6000 warheads in operation.

Best regards, Piotr

On Wed, 6 Apr 2022 23:17:09 +0200, Piotr Wyderski
<bombald@protonmail.com> wrote:

>Mike Monett wrote:
>
>> Takes electronics and skilled people to keep them working. Electronics are
>> made in Ukraine. (Oops) Skilled people are leaving in droves.
>
>It is unlikely to be the typical consumer-grade electronics. It very
>well might not be based on semiconductors anyway.
>
>And they *do* have semiconductor plants. Maybe not as capable as TSMC,
>but 5nm technology is not required for making an operational nuke
>controller. FatMan exploded somehow without a single transistor.

Krytrons.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7vgkcixeh6yq8u5/AACFEouJ3zXhuV7INJZ5bZhVa?dl=0

--

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end with doubts,
but if he will be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties.
Francis Bacon

John Larkin <jlarkin@highland_atwork_technology.com> wrote in
news:e9mp4hhv9prhsbn2er09hth2rr40doafla@4ax.com:

> On Tue, 5 Apr 2022 22:53:54 -0000 (UTC),
> DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno@decadence.org wrote:
>
>>jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote in
>>news:7h5m4hh8v9v911rme1uatl1otdv8ni2a6r@4ax.com:
>>
>>> Russia has a GDP per person about 1/6 that of the US and western
>>> europe. That ratio may well increase.
>>>
>>> Somebody doesn't care.
>>>
>>
>> Sounds like Mexico.
>
>
> Russia's per capita GDP is just a bit above Mexico's.
>
> When I was in Russia, the big mystery to me was, why do these
> people treat themselves this badly? And why do they treat us, evil
> American capitalists, like royalty?
>
> Russia could be another peaceful, prosperous, boring european
> country. They don't need a buffer zone.

Buffer zone? You're an idiot. Just what is it you think
represents a "buffer zone"?

That is what they seemed to want when there was a wall between East
and West Germany.

Phil Allison <pallison49@gmail.com> wrote in
news:98ed09b1-2067-4447-bdfb-4a240875a82en@googlegroups.com:

> John Larkin wrote:
>
> ==================
>>
>> When I was in Russia, the big mystery to me was, why do these
>> people treat themselves this badly? And why do they treat us,
>> evil American capitalists, like royalty?
>>
>> Russia could be another peaceful, prosperous, boring european
>> country. They don't need a buffer zone.
>>
>
> ** Have you read the George Orwell's book "1984" ??
> It's all about maintaining " mind control " of the
> population.

Funny how most if not all of the nations that resulted from the
ending of the USSR have all done well, but the still communist, still
offensive human rights violating Russia did not.

I wonder why that might be.

Anthony William Sloman <bill.sloman@ieee.org> wrote in
news:67f355ad-8bd8-44c4-934a-0a5ea2f2d40an@googlegroups.com:

> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 11:05:21 AM UTC+10,
> palli...@gmail.com wrote:
>> John Larkin wrote:
>> >
>> > When I was in Russia, the big mystery to me was, why do these
>> > people treat themselves this badly? And why do they treat us,
>> > evil American capitalists, like royalty?
>> >
>> > Russia could be another peaceful, prosperous, boring european
>> > country. They don't need a buffer zone.
>> >
>> ** Have you read the George Orwell's book "1984" ??
>>
>> It's all about maintaining " mind control " of the population.
>
> Not exactly. It was anti-communist political satire.
>
> It comes from much the same perceptions of Stalin's Soviet Russia
> as Arthur Koestler's
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkness_at_Noon
>
> It's not any kind of practical treatise on mind-control.
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Goebbels
>
> was a more enthusiastic practitioner of that particular skill.
> Putin does seem to be in the same business.
>

The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than in its entire
existence. 100 seconds before midnight. Since 2020.

Piotr Wyderski <bombald@protonmail.com> wrote:

> Mike Monett wrote:
>
>> What a silly idea.
>
> How many Soviet warheads did you disassemble to be so sure?
>
>> A nuclear missile requires parts made in Ukraine.
>
> How can you know that? Even if it is the case, there is nothing magical
> about Ukraine. They will restore this capability domestically as a top
> priority, because it IS a top priority national security issue. Rest
> assured.
>
>> They are not going to get them anymore.
>
> There are at least two plants in the neo-Soviet Union capable of 90nm
> wafer production, namely Micron and Angstrem. Plus countless physics
> institutes with electron beam litography gear. This is more than
> sufficient to maintain ~6000 warheads in operation.
>
> Best regards, Piotr

The generals are not stupid. They know what will happen if they start a
nuclear war. They do not want to commit suicide.

You need qualified and skilled people to run semiconductor plants. They are
leaving in droves. You need special materials to make chips. These are now
under sanctions.

There is something magical about Ukraine. I posted this earlier:

1. Russia is in trouble, most of its weapons are MADE in Ukraine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPKi8D5R2Wg

2. Russia's only tank manufacturer, Uralvagonzavod, has stopped its
production. The main reason for this is a lack of component parts.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FObJ6haXIAM-lFV?format=jpg&name=small

3. Russia has no advanced semiconductor industry

Russia is cut off from modern semiconductors as it has no advanced
semiconductor industry of its own and has relied on TSMC entirely to make
its leading-edge chips,� says Orme.Mar 3, 2022

4. Taiwan�s semiconductor ban could spell catastrophe for Russia

Russia is dependent on Taiwan's semiconductors for everything from the
manufacture of laptops to military equipment. The cutting off of this
supply may be disastrous for Russia.

Russia�s reliance on Taiwan for semiconductors

Russia is wholly dependent on TSMC for the high-end semiconductors required
for the manufacture of anything from laptops and smartphones to equipment
for the country�s military and security services.

5. Is Russia out of semiconductor options?

Samsung, Russia�s only real alternative to TSMC for high-end contract
manufacturing services, now comes under South Korea's semiconductor export
embargo on Russia. �Russia is cut off from modern semiconductors as it has
no advanced semiconductor industry of its own and has relied on TSMC
entirely to make its leading-edge chips,� says Orme. TSMC, along with South
Korea�s Samsung, has a monopoly on five-nanometre chips � the most
widespread small chip in circulation used by companies including Apple,
Qualcomm and Huawei.

https://www.investmentmonitor.ai/special-focus/ukraine-crisis/taiwan-
semiconductor-ban-russia-catastrophe

6. Russia faces 'brain drain' as thousands flee abroad since start of war
with Ukraine - BBC News
- as many as 200,000 have left Russia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=635iLwWdsU4

7. Mass layoffs in Russia. Sanctions over the war affect the employment of
ordinary Russians
- as many as 500,000 may be laid off starting in April
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVrxeldECXg

8. Russia's economy is collapsing.

Russia's Economy in Freefall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNPprkiMQCg

9. There are many reputable web sites. Peter Zeihan, Speak The Truth, Joe
Blogs and numerous others. They all say the same thing. Russia is screwed.

--
MRM

John Larkin wrote:

> Krytrons.
>
> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7vgkcixeh6yq8u5/AACFEouJ3zXhuV7INJZ5bZhVa?dl=0

This is precisely what I had in mind, but wanted Mike to discover it
himself. :-)

Best regards, Piotr

Mike Monett wrote:

[snip]

OK, OK, I get it. Russia is screwed because you say so. Moreover, a
number of other Internet experts concur. There is no semiconductor
industry and they exporting their e.g. semiconductor power modules is
Putin's propaganda. They are also known for always playing fair and
stealing western technology (or just parts) to support essential
national security efforts has never been considered, let alone
implemented. The GRU is a famous Russian ballet. And they were stupid
enough not to store vital replacement parts or even complete spare
control modules, because who would think these need any maintenance.

I believe we should stop the discussion here. You are right about one
thing, though: *consumer* electronics in Russia is screwed.

Best regards, Piotr

Piotr Wyderski wrote:
> John Larkin wrote:
>
>> Krytrons.
>>
>> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7vgkcixeh6yq8u5/AACFEouJ3zXhuV7INJZ5bZhVa?dl=0
>
> This is precisely what I had in mind, but wanted Mike to discover it
> himself. :-)
>
>     Best regards, Piotr

I have half a dozen in my lab drawer, given to me by a departing IBM
colleague. Super beasty gizmos, plus they're not on the US Munitions
List anymore!

(I'm not giving them to the Russians even so.)

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

--
Dr Philip C D Hobbs
Principal Consultant
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510

http://electrooptical.net
http://hobbs-eo.com

Piotr Wyderski <bombald@protonmail.com> wrote in
news:t2l012$2cc57$1@portraits.wsisiz.edu.pl:

> And they *do* have semiconductor plants.

Hand doped stupid shit. Bwuahahahaha!

> Maybe

Maybe? Bwuahahahahaa!

> not as capable as
> TSMC, but 5nm technology is not required for making an operational
> nuke controller.

Like folks needed you to tell us what Russia's electronics
technology stands at.

> FatMan exploded somehow without a single
> transistor.

No shit, Sherlock, considering they did not even exist at the time.

I'd almost bet that none of Russia's nukes are vacuum tube driven.

Mike Monett <spamme@not.com> wrote in news:XnsAE71B15224C6Aidtokenpost@
144.76.35.252:

> Semiconductor plants take skilled people to run. They are leaving in
> droves.

And there were not many left to start with. That video I think
Larkin posted nails it on what is taking place in Russia.

Piotr Wyderski <bombald@protonmail.com> wrote in news:t2l1bm$2cfcs$1
@portraits.wsisiz.edu.pl:

>> What a silly idea.
>
> How many Soviet warheads did you disassemble to be so sure?

What makes you think that they would still be of the variety which
were driven by tubes?

Russia upgraded many pieces of gear when they finally got hold of
semiconductors. And you think they would have kept the nukes as they
were?

There are no 60's era nukes anywhere in the world. They have all
been updated. The US regularly performs X-ray tests on their warheads
and replace the aging ones. You think Russia has not done the same?

Piotr Wyderski <bombald@protonmail.com> wrote in
news:t2l1bm$2cfcs$1@portraits.wsisiz.edu.pl:

> There are at least two plants in the neo-Soviet Union capable of
> 90nm wafer production, namely Micron and Angstrem. Plus countless
> physics institutes with electron beam litography gear. This is
> more than sufficient to maintain ~6000 warheads in operation.

By they're own declarations they do not have that many. If they do,
they have been lying to the rest of the world for decades.

On 4/5/2022 11:34 PM, Phil Allison wrote:
> Kill Krazy IEEE Bill
> ===============
>>
>>> John Larkin wrote:
>>>>
>>>> When I was in Russia, the big mystery to me was, why do these people
>>>> treat themselves this badly? And why do they treat us, evil American
>>>> capitalists, like royalty?
>>>>
>>>> Russia could be another peaceful, prosperous, boring european country.
>>>> They don't need a buffer zone.
>>>>
>>> ** Have you read the George Orwell's book "1984" ??
>>>
>>> It's all about maintaining " mind control " of the population.
>>
>> Not exactly. It was anti-communist political satire.
>
> ** An odd kind of satire that has neither wit nor humor - very un-funny.
>
> " In 1984, Big Brother uses mind control, erases the past and strips it's citizens of individuality to remove freedom from the society."
> The book reads like a horror story.
>
> FOAD you demented, Google Monkey pile of shit.
>
>
>
> ..... Phil

Isaac Asimov's quip about the novel "1984" was something like "There's
no need to actively destroy history. Nobody reads it, anyway."

Libraries in the US are often pretty much memory-holes with respect to
how often people go there to check out the books these days. And
Americans are sometimes surprised to learn "1984" isn't banned in China
and AFAIK never has been; it's been translated into a number of dialects
and is available in bookstores and libraries there.

But it's not a well-known novel in China and citizens don't seem to have
much interest in it, in the same way most Americans likely couldn't name
a single Chinese sci-fi/horror novelest who's big in China.

Guess you could say the "best" citizens learn to police themselves you
don't have to ban anything.

On 4/4/2022 6:17 AM, Phil Allison wrote:
> Mike Monett wrote:
> =================
>>>
>>>> Russia has screwed itself. It is amazing how much trouble one man has
>>>> caused.
>>
>> Also see:
>>
>> Russia's Economy in Freefall
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNPprkiMQCg
>>
>> Russian oil will stop soon. See "Russian Refineries' Reduced
>> Runs Wreck, Oil & Gas",
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akbOHSrQL9o
>>
>> Peter Zeihan: Putin's Vanishing Oil - Peter Zeihan Russia Ukraine War
>> Update
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G27cjlFSFCE
>>
>> No more electronics, no more tractors, trucks, civilian stuff. No more
>> cellphones, avionics, missiles, tanks, nukes.
>>
>> War on bicycles with bows and arrows.
>>
>
> ** You made me think of something a loooong time ago.
>
> Living in Sydney, Australia in the early 70s, the ONLY Russian made product I ever saw was a transistor radio:
> This one, the Astrad Auriga:
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZJPKu1_Mx8

Look like solid radio built like T-34 tank. Is good machina for good
Soviet youth listen to "Switched On Bach", form synthesizer band & make
Soviet disco musica for to crush decadent capitalist West.

Piotr Wyderski <bombald@protonmail.com> wrote:

> Mike Monett wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> OK, OK, I get it. Russia is screwed because you say so. Moreover, a
> number of other Internet experts concur. There is no semiconductor
> industry and they exporting their e.g. semiconductor power modules is
> Putin's propaganda. They are also known for always playing fair and
> stealing western technology (or just parts) to support essential
> national security efforts has never been considered, let alone
> implemented. The GRU is a famous Russian ballet. And they were stupid
> enough not to store vital replacement parts or even complete spare
> control modules, because who would think these need any maintenance.
>
> I believe we should stop the discussion here. You are right about one
> thing, though: *consumer* electronics in Russia is screwed.
>
> Best regards, Piotr

It was pleasant chatting with you. I hope your future is as bright as your
delusions. Keep listening to the Russians. That should help.

--
MRM

On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 2:26:21 PM UTC, Phil Hobbs wrote:
> Piotr Wyderski wrote:
> > John Larkin wrote:
> >
> >> Krytrons.
> >>
> >> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7vgkcixeh6yq8u5/AACFEouJ3zXhuV7INJZ5bZhVa?dl=0
> >
> > This is precisely what I had in mind, but wanted Mike to discover it
> > himself. :-)
> >
> > Best regards, Piotr
> I have half a dozen in my lab drawer, given to me by a departing IBM
> colleague. Super beasty gizmos, plus they're not on the US Munitions
> List anymore!
>
> (I'm not giving them to the Russians even so.)
>
> Cheers
>
> Phil Hobbs
>
> --
> Dr Philip C D Hobbs
> Principal Consultant
> ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics
> Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics
> Briarcliff Manor NY 10510
>
> http://electrooptical.net
> http://hobbs-eo.com

John, Phil,
Fascinating.
would these 1940s tech have any use today?
= RS

On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 6:37:26 PM UTC, Rich S wrote:
> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 2:26:21 PM UTC, Phil Hobbs wrote:
> > Piotr Wyderski wrote:
> > > John Larkin wrote:
> > >
> > >> Krytrons.
> > >>
> > >> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7vgkcixeh6yq8u5/AACFEouJ3zXhuV7INJZ5bZhVa?dl=0
> > >
> > > This is precisely what I had in mind, but wanted Mike to discover it
> > > himself. :-)
> > >
> > > Best regards, Piotr
> > I have half a dozen in my lab drawer, given to me by a departing IBM
> > colleague. Super beasty gizmos, plus they're not on the US Munitions
> > List anymore!
> >
> > (I'm not giving them to the Russians even so.)
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > Phil Hobbs
> >
> > --
> > Dr Philip C D Hobbs
> > Principal Consultant
> > ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics
> > Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics
> > Briarcliff Manor NY 10510
> >
> > http://electrooptical.net
> > http://hobbs-eo.com

John, Phil,
Fascinating.
would these 1940s tech have any use today?
= RS

P.S. "Radioactive Element"
EG&G says "for disposal of Krytrons, return to EG&G"
now EG&G is part of URS, will they still take them?
Better add a priviso in your wills, gentlemen.
Who gets the krytrons? ;-)

Rich S wrote:
> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 6:37:26 PM UTC, Rich S wrote:
>> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 2:26:21 PM UTC, Phil Hobbs wrote:
>>> Piotr Wyderski wrote:
>>>> John Larkin wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Krytrons.
>>>>>
>>>>> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7vgkcixeh6yq8u5/AACFEouJ3zXhuV7INJZ5bZhVa?dl=0
>>>>
>>>> This is precisely what I had in mind, but wanted Mike to discover it
>>>> himself. :-)
>>>>
>>>> Best regards, Piotr
>>> I have half a dozen in my lab drawer, given to me by a departing IBM
>>> colleague. Super beasty gizmos, plus they're not on the US Munitions
>>> List anymore!
>>>
>>> (I'm not giving them to the Russians even so.)
>>>
>>> Cheers
>>>
>>> Phil Hobbs
>>>
>>> --
>>> Dr Philip C D Hobbs
>>> Principal Consultant
>>> ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics
>>> Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics
>>> Briarcliff Manor NY 10510
>>>
>>> http://electrooptical.net
>>> http://hobbs-eo.com
>
> John, Phil,
> Fascinating.
> would these 1940s tech have any use today?
> = RS
>
> P.S. "Radioactive Element"
> EG&G says "for disposal of Krytrons, return to EG&G"
> now EG&G is part of URS, will they still take them?
> Better add a priviso in your wills, gentlemen.
> Who gets the krytrons? ;-)
>

You probably wouldn't design one in today, unless you needed the
combination of ridiculous power handling and very very low OFF-state
capacitance. (I've been known to use transmitting tubes for
less-extreme versions of that.)

I don't know if they're still made.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

--
Dr Philip C D Hobbs
Principal Consultant
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510

http://electrooptical.net
http://hobbs-eo.com

On Friday, April 8, 2022 at 1:43:06 AM UTC+10, bitrex wrote:
> On 4/5/2022 11:34 PM, Phil Allison wrote:
> > Kill Krazy IEEE Bill
> > ===============
> >>
> >>> John Larkin wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> When I was in Russia, the big mystery to me was, why do these people
> >>>> treat themselves this badly? And why do they treat us, evil American
> >>>> capitalists, like royalty?
> >>>>
> >>>> Russia could be another peaceful, prosperous, boring european country.
> >>>> They don't need a buffer zone.
> >>>>
> >>> ** Have you read the George Orwell's book "1984" ??
> >>>
> >>> It's all about maintaining " mind control " of the population.
> >>
> >> Not exactly. It was anti-communist political satire.
> >
> > ** An odd kind of satire that has neither wit nor humor - very un-funny.
> >
> > " In 1984, Big Brother uses mind control, erases the past and strips it's citizens of individuality to remove freedom from the society."
> > The book reads like a horror story.
> >
> Isaac Asimov's quip about the novel "1984" was something like "There's
> no need to actively destroy history. Nobody reads it, anyway."

** That was long before Wiki existed.

> Libraries in the US are often pretty much memory-holes with respect to
> how often people go there to check out the books these days. And
> Americans are sometimes surprised to learn "1984" isn't banned in China
> and AFAIK never has been; it's been translated into a number of dialects
> and is available in bookstores and libraries there.

** No need exists for Chinese to read 1984 - cos they are all living in it right now.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/01/why-1984-and-animal-farm-arent-banned-china/580156/

....... Phil

On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 11:37:26 AM UTC-7, Rich S wrote:
> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 2:26:21 PM UTC, Phil Hobbs wrote:
> > Piotr Wyderski wrote:
> > > John Larkin wrote:
> > >
> > >> Krytrons.
> > >>
> > >> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7vgkcixeh6yq8u5/AACFEouJ3zXhuV7INJZ5bZhVa?dl=0
> > >
> > > This is precisely what I had in mind, but wanted Mike to discover it
> > > himself. :-)
> > >
> > > Best regards, Piotr
> > I have half a dozen in my lab drawer, given to me by a departing IBM
> > colleague. Super beasty gizmos, plus they're not on the US Munitions
> > List anymore!

> John, Phil,
> Fascinating.
> would these 1940s tech have any use today?

Yeah. For fast switching of current, accelerator folk use 'em to
load electron bunches into synchrotron rings. One engineer of my acquaintance
ordered some, and got a visit from men wearing suits who asked questions.

It's not dissimilar to a lightning arrestor. Hard to get a solid-state equivalent.

On 8/4/22 8:00 am, whit3rd wrote:
> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 11:37:26 AM UTC-7, Rich S wrote:
>> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 2:26:21 PM UTC, Phil Hobbs wrote:
>>> Piotr Wyderski wrote:
>>>> John Larkin wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Krytrons.
>>>>>
>>>>> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7vgkcixeh6yq8u5/AACFEouJ3zXhuV7INJZ5bZhVa?dl=0
>>>>
>>>> This is precisely what I had in mind, but wanted Mike to discover it
>>>> himself. :-)
>>>>
>>>> Best regards, Piotr
>>> I have half a dozen in my lab drawer, given to me by a departing IBM
>>> colleague. Super beasty gizmos, plus they're not on the US Munitions
>>> List anymore!
>
>> John, Phil,
>> Fascinating.
>> would these 1940s tech have any use today?
>
> Yeah. For fast switching of current, accelerator folk use 'em to
> load electron bunches into synchrotron rings. One engineer of my acquaintance
> ordered some, and got a visit from men wearing suits who asked questions.
>
> It's not dissimilar to a lightning arrestor. Hard to get a solid-state equivalent.

It looks like the kind of thing that a competent lab glassware tech
could make pretty easily. Are there any exotic materials in them?