Vacuum fluorescent display

Okay kiddo, do you know about a TV or a computer screen? A vacuum fluorescent display is a type of screen that works like those, but it's much simpler- like a little TV that only displays numbers and letters.

The screen is made up of tiny tubes that are filled with gas and have an electrode at each end. One of the electrodes sends electricity through the gas, which makes it glow. When we control which electrode sends electricity and what amount, we can make different shapes and colors on the screen.

These displays were used in old-fashioned clocks, calculators, and other electronics. They're not used as much today, but they're still pretty cool!