Tesla Fluorescent Mineral Crookes Tube, Single-Wire
Name/Title
Tesla Fluorescent Mineral Crookes Tube, Single-WireEntry/Object ID
2026.35.1Description
Tesla Fluorescent Mineral Crookes Tube, Single-Wire. Made by the Pressler firm in Germany, late 1890s/early 1900s.Use
Fluorescent mineral Crookes Tube, made by the famous Pressler firm in Cursdorf, Germany. Dates to the late 1890s / early 1900s. It is unique in that only a single wire is required to make it function. A small Tesla Coil producing a 1" high frequency spark accelerates the electrons inside of the tube which contains a moderate vacuum. The outer atmosphere surrounding the spherical bulb act as a capacitive ground and and the accelerated electrons (cathode rays) are directed in turn to the center of the bulb - focusing on a piece of Willemite. The Willemite fluoresces a bright yellow-green. Care must be taken that too high a voltage is not applied to the tube - otherwise X-Rays can be produced, and the residual vacuum can be impaired from outgassing of the components.Collection
Turn Of The Century Electrotherapy MuseumCategory
Vacuum Discharge Tubes