Nuvistor Valves

Summary

Innovation at the End of the Valve Era The development of the Nuvistor in the late-1950s was probably the last major innovation in receiving valve technology, coming as it did towards the end of the era of thermionic device domination. Transistors at that time weren't the full answer to all problems in electronics, and so valves still had a lot to offer. The Nuvistor is often regarded as a last desperate effort by valve manufacturers to stem the flow of 'transistorisation' which was becoming a torrent by this time. Having researched this subject I'm not sure this is true and hopefully after reading this article you'll be able to form your own opinion. RCA's special box with the Nuvistor logo on it. The device perched on the box is a 7895 triode. You may just be able to see the Nuvistor logo on the valve itself. Introduction of the Nuvistor RCA announced the first Nuvistor triode valve, the 7586, in 1959. Modern folk law has the initial intended application as TV VHF/UHF tuners, from where they were finally displaced by transistors in the early 1970s. Further triodes, such as the 6CW4 (which is probably the most well-known Nuvistor) and a tetrode or two followed over the next few years. From the start RCA clearly had applications in mind beyond TV tuners. In a 1959 RCA advert the company claimed: RCA Electronics introduces the tube of tomorrowCalled the Nuvistor, this thimble-sized tube is likely to start a revolution in electronics. RCA engineers scrapped old ideas - took a fresh look at tube design. The result will be tubes that are far smaller, perform more efficiently, use less power, can take more punishment, are more reliable. Developmental models now being tried out by designers will have a profound effect on the size, appearance, and performance of electronic equipment for entertainment, communications, defence, and industry in the future. It is another example of the way RCA is constantly advancing in electronics. The accompanying photograph showed a Nuvisto...