# stupid old computer q - Did vacuum tubes glow?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-old-computer-q-did-vacuum-tubes-glow/534550>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 1, 2010, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-old-computer-q-did-vacuum-tubes-glow/534550 "2010-04-01T09:09:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\
**Post date:** [April 2, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-old-computer-q-did-vacuum-tubes-glow/534550/41 "2010-04-02T19:03:21Z")

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> [@Rocketeer](#):
>
> My 1960 Chevy’s radio had a bunch of tubes and one big transistor. Guess which part was responsible for it not working?

the transistor was used as the audio amplifier which allowed the tubes to be a lower voltage type which eliminated the need for a vibrator which allowed high voltage production. the vibrator could be a troublesome part.

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**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\
**Post date:** [April 2, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-old-computer-q-did-vacuum-tubes-glow/534550/42 "2010-04-02T20:05:22Z")

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Let us not forget the beauty that was [Nixie Tubes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flXf1wu2OJU)!

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