Typical special function vacuum tubes include:
CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes for video, display, graphics, TV, Oscilloscopes, Radar, Sonar)
Display (Eidophor, Plasma TV)
Readout Tubes (Nixie, VFDs, Numitrons, Magic Eye indicators)
RF Power Tubes (Power Grid tubes, Klystron, Magnetron)
Power Control Tubes (Thyratron, Ignitron)
Detectors (Photocells, PMT - Photomultipliers, Image Intensifiers)
Memory and Image Storage (Tonochon, Radechon, Image Scan Converters, Monoscope, Charactron)
Timing and Counting (Dekatron, Beam Switch, Trochotron)
TV Camera Tubes (Vidicon, SATicon, Plumbicon, Newvicon, Image Dissector, Iconoscope, Image Orthicon)
Light Sources (Hollow Cathode Lamp, HID, Strobe Tubes, Flash Tubes, Negative Glow Neon, Fluorescent Lamps)

These devices are works of art in themselves.
They also inspire the creation of modern curios, functional artworks, hobby construction projects, or whatever the imagination can define. Beyond the collection and preservation of existing tubes, the development, manufacture, and operation of electron tubes is a mostly lost art, or pushed to the limit of living memory.
This forum is a place to bring your questions, comments, circuit ideas, and stories of collection and operation of these fascinating devices!

Peter J. Stonard Owner/Moderator